New Zealand’s mountain biking elite, including several Bay of Plenty stars, are gearing up for another big weekend as the UCI MTB World Series heads to the iconic Val di Sole in northern Italy.

Fresh off a stunning haul of six podiums in Leogang, Austria, the Kiwi contingent will look to carry that momentum into the cross-country and downhill races, with Tauranga’s Eliana Hulsebosch and Taupō’s Samara Maxwell leading the charge.

Hulsebosch, who rides for the Santa Cruz Syndicate, secured her second junior women’s podium in Austria and now sits second in the overall standings. She’ll face the infamous Black Snake downhill course this weekend – a brutal 2.4km track with a 540m altitude drop and gradients up to 40 percent.

Maxwell, currently leading the elite cross-country standings, has been in dominant form with a victory and three runner-up finishes this season. The 22-year-old Taupō rider has impressed with her composure and strategy, often riding her own race to reel in leaders over tough, technical circuits.

In the junior men’s downhill, Clive’s Tyler Waite (Yeti-Fox) sits second overall after two second-place finishes, with fellow Kiwis Oli Clark, Jonty Williamson, and Malik Boatwright all inside the top 10. Clark, of Kaikōura, grabbed a historic win in Leogang to rocket into title contention.

Rotorua's Kate Hastings and Queenstown’s Indy Deavoll (Yeti NZ Development) also line up in junior women’s downhill, while elite women Jess Blewitt (Cube Factory), Sasha Earnest (Trek Factory), and world junior champion Erice van Leuven (Norco) bring depth and experience.

Elite cross-country stars Sam Gaze and Anton Cooper return for New Zealand in the men’s field. Cooper, of Christchurch, said Leogang marked the first time since his illness that he felt truly back in the World Cup fold.

“That’s the first World Cup race since my illness last year that I’ve felt truly part of a World Cup again,” said Cooper.

Racing begins late Friday NZT with downhill qualifiers, followed by cross-country short track on Saturday morning. Finals for junior and elite downhill riders take place Sunday morning NZT, with full cross-country races on Sunday night and into Monday.

With multiple Bay of Plenty riders among the world’s best, Kiwi fans have plenty of reason to stay up late.