The final lineup for Natural Selection Bike Aotearoa 2026 is set, and the excitement is palpable! But here's where it gets controversial: with only 27 spots available, the competition to secure a place was fierce, leaving many talented riders on the sidelines. The Dream Ticket qualifier, held on February 7 at Queenstown’s Dream Track, was the last chance for athletes to prove their mettle. Among the final five selected were two men, two women, and one Kiwi rider, adding a diverse mix to the already star-studded roster.
The Dream Ticket event was a spectacle of creativity and skill, as riders tackled a course packed with massive jumps, technical challenges, and innovative lines. Judges had the tough task of choosing just five riders to complete the field, ensuring a balance of freeride, slopestyle, and downhill expertise. And this is the part most people miss: the selection process wasn’t just about who could land the biggest tricks, but also about who could bring unique style and adaptability to the Mt. Dewar course.
Meet the Dream Ticket 2026 Winners:
Women:
- Natasha Bradley (GBR)
- Shealen Reno (USA)
Men:
- Ondra Slez (CZE)
- Lukas Schäfer (GER)
Kiwi Men’s Invite:
- Billy Meaclem (NZL)
These riders join a global lineup that reads like a who’s who of mountain biking. The Natural Selection Bike venue on Mt. Dewar promises a thrilling top-to-bottom course with multiple paths, blending big-air features and technical terrain to test even the most seasoned athletes.
Full Rider Roster for Natural Selection Bike 2026:
Women:
Hannah Bergemann (USA), Kirsten Van Horne (CAN), Janelle Soukup (USA), Robin Goomes (NZL), Alma Wiggberg (SWE), Chelsea Kimball (USA), Vaea Verbeeck (CAN), Vinny Armstrong (NZL), Natasha Bradley (GBR), Shealen Reno (USA).
Men:
Szymon Godziek (POL), Carson Storch (USA), Louis Reboul (FRA), Finley Kirschenmann (USA), Reed Boggs (USA), Johny Salido (MEX), Nicholi Rogatkin (USA), Cam Zink (USA), Brett Rheeder (CAN), Hayden Zablotny (CAN), Thomas Genon (BEL), Tomas Lemoine (FRA), Kaidan Ingersoll (USA), Paul Couderc (FRA), Ondra Slez (CZE), Lukas Schäfer (GER), Billy Meaclem (NZL).
Mark your calendars: Natural Selection Bike Aotearoa will premiere globally on May 5, 2026, with the full event streaming on Red Bull TV. But here’s a thought-provoking question: With such a diverse field, who do you think will dominate the unique challenges of Mt. Dewar? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your predictions and opinions!
