Specialized Cactus Cup
About this race
🌵 The Cactus Cup 2-Day Stage Race Returns for 2027! 🌵
Arizona’s Original Mountain Bike Stage Race is back with another action-packed 2-day weekend of desert riding, fast racing, and good times.
Since 1991, The Cactus Cup has been the season kickoff for mountain bikers of all levels. In 2027, we’re bringing back the 2-day format with iconic trails, multiple race options, and plenty of ways to take on the weekend.
🔥 The 2027 Format
For the Pros
Saturday
- XC 40-Mile Big Loop
- Short Track Showdown — an evening throwdown!
Sunday
- XC 20-Mile Sprint
🏆 Pro Cup Winner: Aggregate time from all three races
For Age Groupers – Choose Your Cup
Option 1: The Cactus Cup
Saturday: XC 40-Mile — same course as the pros
Sunday: XC 20-Mile Sprint
🏆 Winner: Combined time from both days
Option 2: The Mini Cup
Saturday: XC 25-Mile
Sunday: XC 20-Mile Sprint
🏆 Winner: Combined time from both days
Just want to race one day? You can do that too.
Race Saturday, race Sunday, or make a full weekend of it and take on one of the two-day Cup options.
Whether you’re chasing the podium or just looking for a fast desert rip, there’s a way to make the Cactus Cup weekend your own.
The Cactus Cup is back for 2027.
Same iconic trails. Same legendary Cactus Cup vibe. Two packed days of racing.
Let’s ride!
Pick your distance
Mountain biking
VINTAGE CRITERIUM RACE
Pre-1999 classic mountain bike race. Period correct components including 26" wheels. The race is a dirt crit on a 1 mile course for 20 min plus 2 laps.
PRO CACTUS CUP
🏁 For the Pros: Saturday: 🚵 XC 40-Mile Big Loop 🔁 Short Track Showdown (evening throwdown!) Sunday: ⚡ XC 20-Mile Sprint 🏆 Pro Cup Winner = Aggregate Time of all 3 races
CACTUS CUP
The Cactus Cup Saturday: XC 40-Mile (same course as the pros) Sunday: XC 20-Mile Sprint 🏆 Winner = Combined Time from both days
MINI CUP
The Mini Cup Saturday: XC 25-Mile Sunday: XC 20-Mile Sprint 🏆 Winner = Combined Time from both days
XC - 40 MILE
One big loop within the Regional Park. Smooth and flowy with sections of rocky climbs and descents
XC - 25 MILE
One loop within the Regional Park encompassing all competitive track trails and a portion of Pemberton
XC - 10 MILE
The 10 mile course begins west of the finish arch hitting the Sport Loop, connecting to Tech, to Long loop. You will lap past the finish line for a final 3 mile sport loop then find yourself at the finish line! https://thecactuscup.com/xc/ 10MileTab
LITTLE SHREDDERS RACE (Beginner Kinder - 5th grade)
The beginner or First Timer Kinder – 5th grade will start and race within the venue completing a 0.5 mile loop. All riders will start on the line together but scored per gender and grade level
ADVANCED KIDS RACE (1st - 5th grade)
Advanced - Race on the Sport Loop, 1 lap 1st – 5th grade: Each grade will have its own wave start. Girls and Boys will start on the line together but will be scored separately. Course: 1 Lap of the Sport Loop: 3 Miles
ADVANCED KIDS RACE (6th - 8th grade)
Advanced - Race on the Sport Loop, 2 laps 6th – 8th grade: Each grade will have it’s own wave start. Girls and Boys will start on the line together but will be scored separately. Course: 2 Laps of the Sport Loop: 6 Miles total
KIDS BALANCE BIKE RACE - Ages 1-5
For the little shredders! All racing takes place at the pump track
XC SPRINT - 20 MILE
One loop incorporating different parts of this iconic part with several spicy climbs amidst the Saguaro cactus and wildflowers!
Cycling
KIDS MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP
Kids ages 6 - 12 can participate in the kids mountain bike camp on Saturday while you race the XC!
GRAVEL SHAKEOUT
Interested in gravel but not quite sure what it is? Just need a rdie with some new people? Like to ride bikes but mountain bikes not your jam? No biggie, we got you. This is a casual social ride, on gravel, with our awesome friends from MMC leading the group.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 10 years of historical conditions on this event's race dates in Fountain Hills.
Course
Route map and elevation profile
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 1 Fountain Hills event
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