Gio Minano and Louie Gould represented OHS against riders from 190 schools nationwide.

During the school holidays, Gio Minano and Louie Gould represented Onehunga High School at the 2026 New Zealand Schools Mountain Bike Championships, held at Summerhill Mountain Bike Park in Tauranga from 4 to 10 October. The national championships attracted more than 800 riders from 190 schools across New Zealand, competing in five disciplines: Short Course Cross Country (XCC), Olympic Cross Country (XCO), Cross Country Teams Relay, Enduro and Downhill, with the latter held in Rotorua.

Gio and Louie competed in both the XCC and XCO events. The XCC was a fast 15 to 20 minute race around a 750 metre circuit, featuring farm tracks, steep grassy climbs and obstacles including logs and pallets. Results from this race determined the starting positions for the longer XCO event, which challenged riders with forest trails, steep root-covered climbs, technical descents, BMX-style jumps and a demanding gravel climb.

The national competition was a significant step up from the Auckland Schools Mountain Bike Series, in which both students had competed throughout winter. They raced against some of New Zealand's best young mountain bikers, including riders who had recently represented New Zealand at the World Championships in Italy.

It was a valuable opportunity for Gio and Louie to test themselves at a national level and gain experience competing against the country's leading school riders. Well done to both students for representing OHS at the National Championships.

Results

Gio Minano       U17 Boys                              XCC 7th               XCO 9th

Louie Gould     U15 Boys                               XCC 17th              XCO 19th