Welcome to the 2026 Gold Coast Graduation Cup at Nerang Mountain Bike Park!
We’ve got an epic day lined up for you all at Nerang!
We have three awesome tracks for you to test your skills, endurance, speed and technical ability, which school will dominate this year?
Virtual Rider Briefing
This Rocky Trail Academy is proudly supported by these amazing partners:
Event Essentials
Friday 11th September, 2026, 9:00am – 1:30pm
We’re looking forward to welcoming you at Nerang Mountain Bike Park for our final QLD Rocky Trail Academy of 2026!
The Rocky Trail Academy Format
- Competition will consist of 3 timed sections.
- Tracks have been designed to test a variety of skills, including endurance, speed and technical ability.
- Riders may ride each timed section up to 5 times on each track with their fastest time counting.
- Combined best times will be combined for the overall result for each rider.
- Riders earn points for school on each track
- Bonus points awarded for 1st to 4th on each track
- Podiums will be awarded for the top 3 teams and individuals in each category, and Champions school.
Emergency Contacts
- Race Director – Bob Morris 0458 299 558
- Event Director – Jo Parker 0424 955 332
Venue & Dates
Dates Friday 11 September 2026
Venue Nerang Velodrome, Hope Street, Nerang QLD, Australia
Open in Google MapsParking
The Event Hub and Parking will be located on in the Gold Coast Cycle Centre.
Vehicles will access from Hope St.
Parking will be around the edge of the Crit Track and, In the scout precinct.
Marshals will be on hand to assist with parking.
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers are critical to the success of the event so please make sure you’ve signed up! Parent or teacher volunteers are required across both days and roles include bike based and course marshalling.
Bring a Bike or chair, jumper and sunscreen, wear walking shoes and prepare a loud cheering voice to encourage the kids out on track. Come and have a great day in the outdoors!
We need 5-6 marshal spots for each time slot (9am until 10.30, 10:30 to Midday, Midday to 1.30pm)
Weather Forecast
Low chance of coastal showers – temps range 14c to 20c
The Schedule
The following is the standard schedule.
All participants must adhere to the 8:50 AM briefing time.
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Event Village & Registration Open | |
| 8:50 AM | Compulsory Rider Briefing | The safety code word will be announced here. |
| 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM | Race Runs | Timed runs begin across the three stages. |
| 1:30 PM | Last Race Run | All timed runs must be completed. |
| 1:45 PM | Podium Presentations* | Individual and Overall Champion School awards. |
The following schedule applies to both 1 & 2 day events.
See the Event Guide for a detailed schedule and presentation times.
* Sendy Gift Vouchers presented to 1-2-3 podium place getters in each male and female category.
Food & Refreshments
We will have a coffee and food van on site throughout the event to keep you suitably fed and caffeinated!
Coffee vendor – Groupset Coffee will be on site serving the best coffee there is!
BBQ hosted by the Nerang High School Dirt Monkey program – Bacon and Egg rolls to start the day before loading up burgers and sanga sandwiches
Event Services
- Registration Tent with live timing, merch and race info
- Music and live race updates
- Toilets available on site
- Professional First Aid
- Neutral bike technical support will be provided by Astroboyracer
Race Tracks
Sendy Track
The speed test will be Sendy. Running “Pete’s” from the “Coolibah fire Break” into the “Comm Games 3” descent. 1.8km and dropping 75m
Bomber Track
Bomber is the pedal using the “Rocky Horror” from near the top of the “Casuarina Adventure Climb” before dropping into the top section of “Pete’s” to finish on the Coolibah fire Break. 1.4km long
Shimano Track
Shimano Track is the flowy Casuarina Adventure Loop Descent. 1.6km long and dropping 80m.
See the Tracks Guide for map and detailed trail information
Liaisons To Starts
- No towing or shuttling permitted at anytime during racing
- Follow our orange “Neutral To Start” signs from the event hub to ride to the start of all of our trails
- To return to the event hub after completing your runs please follow our orange “Neutral To Event Hub” signs
Rocky Trail Academy Guide
race format
Volunteer
Teachers Guide
Race rules
Insurance
This is an Auscycling sanctioned event with all registered riders and volunteers covered under Public Liability/Personal Accident
Got A Question?
If you have any questions prior to the event, drop us an email at ride@rockytrailentertainment.com or click the green messaging button at the bottom of your screen. Our team is on site throughout the event so don’t hesitate to hit any of us up as we’re here to help!
