The 2026 National MTBO Series has officially concluded after a fast, competitive and highly successful year of racing across five states. With new riders joining the sport, seasoned athletes pushing the pace and clubs delivering high‑quality events from sprint schoolyards to classic forest terrain, this season showcased the very best of Australian MTBO.

Series Overview

The 2026 calendar delivered:

• 11 National Series races across mass start, sprint, middle and long formats
• 3 host states contributing diverse terrain and course styles
• Strong participation growth, particularly in junior and recreational categories
• Consistently high event quality, with accurate mapping, quality course setting and advancements in timing and results display with MeshO

The Victorian 4 stage round proved a highlight, drawing one of the largest fields of the year and offering a mix of technical school navigation, open forestry roads and flowing bushland singletrack.

Season Highlights

• Breakout performances from emerging juniors, several of whom claimed their first podiums
• Tight battles in elite categories, with multiple races decided by under 30 seconds
• Improved women’s participation, supported by targeted club outreach and beginner-friendly course options
• New venues added to the series, expanding MTBO’s footprint and providing fresh mapping challenges
• Record social engagement, with riders sharing GPS routes, helmet‑cam footage and post‑race analysis across club channels

Series Champions

Final detailed standings across all categories are published on the OA MTBO page, but headline results include:

• Elite Men & Women decided only in the final round
• Junior categories showing the strongest year-on-year growth
• Veteran classes continuing to anchor the sport with deep fields and consistent participation

2026 Placegetters

M14

• 1st: Alon Gudes – Uringa Orienteers
• 2nd: Isaac Adams – Multi Terrain Bike Orienteers
• 3rd: Evan Gavens – Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers

M16

• 1st: Ho Lam Marcus Cheung – Western & Hills Orienteers

M20

• 1st: Presley Scouller‑Evans – Newcastle Orienteering Club
• 2nd: Anthony Parkhurst – Casuals ACT

M21

• 1st: Ricky Thackray – Bibbulmun Orienteers
• 2nd: Joel Dodds – Multi Terrain Bike Orienteers
• 3rd: James Robertson – Bendigo Orienteers

M40

• 1st: Gavin Bennette – Yarra Valley Orienteering Club
• 2nd: Joel Young – Multi Terrain Bike Orienteers
• 3rd: Ori Gudes – Uringa Orienteers

M50

• 1st: Craig Steffens – Multi Terrain Bike Orienteers
• 2nd: Michael Ridley‑Smith – Garingal Orienteers
• 3rd: Andrew Harmer – Red Roos

M60

• 1st: Andrew Power – Newcastle Orienteering Club
• 2nd: Robert Vincent – Newcastle Orienteering Club
• 3rd: Greg Barbour – Big Foot Orienteers

M70

• 1st: Peter Cusworth – Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers
• 2nd: Bill Vandendool – Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers
• 3rd: Robert Prentice – Newcastle Orienteering Club

M80

• 1st: Leigh Privett – Albury‑Wodonga Orienteering Club
• 2nd: Barry Huntington – Multi Terrain Bike Orienteers
• 3rd: Blake Gordon – Eureka Orienteers

W14

• 1st: Asha Nuttall – Eureka Orienteers

W16

• 1st: Veronika Iskhakova – Red Roos
• 2nd: Mia Gavens – Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers

W21

• 1st: Maya Bennette – Yarra Valley Orienteering Club
• 2nd: Cathy Hogg – Parawanga Orienteers
• 3rd: Ariadna Iskhakova – Red Roos

W40

• 1st: Carolyn Jackson – Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers
• 2nd: Jayne Sales – Melbourne Forest Racers
• 3rd: Wai Man Wong – Western & Hills Orienteers

W50

• 1st: Eva Kovacs – Multi Terrain Bike Orienteers
• 2nd: Tamsin Barnes – Range Runners Orienteering Club
• 3rd (tie): Jane Pulford – Australopers Orienteering Club
• 3rd (tie): Lisa Dodds – Multi Terrain Bike Orienteers

W60

• 1st: Carolyn Matthews – Newcastle Orienteering Club
• 2nd: Janelle Schafer – Sunshine Orienteers Club
• 3rd: Helen Robinson – Albury‑Wodonga Orienteering Club

W70

• 1st: Heather Leslie – Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers
• 2nd: Jacquie Rand – Ugly Gully Orienteers
• 3rd: Kay Haarsma – Tintookies Orienteers

W80

• 1st: Ann Ingwersen – Parawanga Orienteers

Thank You to Hosts & Volunteers

The 2026 series was made possible by:

• State organisers and mapping teams
• Course setters and controllers
• Timing crews and results processors
• Local clubs providing equipment, venues and volunteer support

Their work ensured safe, enjoyable and professionally delivered events throughout the season.

Looking Ahead to 2027

The 2027 season is shaping up to be even bigger, with a continued focus on participation growth of juniors, women and girls and national consistency.

Craig Steffens
Manager
MTBO Development