ABUJA TO HOST 10TH ANNIVERSARY MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL AS NIGERIA UNVEILS CROSS-COUNTRY RACES

Abuja is set to host the 10th anniversary edition of the Chaingang Mountain Bike Festival on November 21 and 22, 2026, with organisers introducing cross-country racing events aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s participation in international mountain biking competitions.

The festival, organised by Chaingang Cycling Club Abuja in partnership with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN), is expected to bring together professional cyclists, recreational riders, young athletes and outdoor sports enthusiasts for two days of sporting and community activities.

Organisers announced that the 2026 edition would serve as a national qualifying competition for the 2027 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Cycling World Championships scheduled to take place in France. The development is expected to create opportunities for Nigerian cyclists to compete for places at the international event.

Olatunji Olanrewaju, chairman of the festival’s Local Organising Committee, disclosed the plans during an announcement at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Friday, October 16, 2026.

According to Olanrewaju, the partnership with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria is intended to improve the technical organisation of the competition and provide local cyclists with a pathway towards international participation.

Bashir Mohammed, the federation’s technical director, said the competition would identify and qualify male and female athletes for two mountain biking disciplines: Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-Country Olympic (XCO).

The two categories require different racing approaches, with the short-track event emphasising fast-paced competition over a compact course, while the Olympic cross-country format tests endurance, technical ability and consistency over multiple laps of challenging terrain.

The introduction of the two disciplines marks a change from previous editions of the festival, which featured Cross-Country Marathon races covering distances of approximately 50 to 100 kilometres.

Organisers said the new format would help Nigerian riders develop skills suited to internationally recognised mountain biking competitions while broadening opportunities for athletes seeking to represent the country at major championships.

A major highlight of the anniversary edition will be the unveiling of the Sunrise Hills Mountain Bike Course in Asokoro, Abuja. The route is approximately 4.5 kilometres long and borders the Guzape area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Olanrewaju said the course features steep climbs, rocky descents and natural switchbacks designed to challenge riders’ endurance, balance and technical skills. The organisers stated that the route had been developed in line with relevant UCI guidelines to support competition at an international standard.

The course is expected to provide a demanding test for participating cyclists, particularly those competing in the cross-country categories. Its varied terrain will require riders to combine speed with careful handling as they navigate uphill sections, uneven surfaces and technical turns.

Beyond the competitive races, the two-day festival will feature a range of activities designed to attract people with different levels of sporting experience. Planned events include a trail run, a children’s mountain bike race, a veterans’ recreational ride, a city-wide fitness ride, hiking and camping.

The organisers said children would be allowed to participate in their mountain bike race free of charge. Media practitioners and other interested participants will also be encouraged to take part in recreational cycling activities as part of efforts to expand public engagement with the sport.

The festival is expected to attract at least 150 participants, according to information provided by the organisers. Registration details were made available through the Chaingang Cycling Club website, www.chaingang.ng.

Joel Akinluwa, secretary-general of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, said collaboration between the federation and the club had helped improve the technical standards of the event. He noted that professional officiating and adherence to international rules were important for competitions intended to identify athletes for higher-level events.

Akinluwa also said previous editions of the festival had provided participants with opportunities to develop their abilities and pursue qualification for other international mountain biking competitions, including the African Mountain Bike Championship.

The organisers said the festival would also promote physical fitness, youth development, tourism, environmental awareness and community participation. They believe the combination of competitive races and recreational activities could help attract more Nigerians to cycling and outdoor sports.

As part of its community-focused initiatives, the festival plans to support the restoration of Jigakushi School in Mpape and organise a road-safety street mural campaign intended to encourage safer road use by cyclists and other road users.

The school restoration initiative is expected to connect the sporting event with broader community development objectives, while the road-safety campaign seeks to raise awareness about the need for cooperation between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians.

The 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships are scheduled to take place in Haute-Savoie, France, from August 24 to September 5, 2027. The mountain biking events are expected to be held in Les Gets, with the Cross-Country Short Track competition scheduled for August 31 and the Olympic cross-country races planned for September 2 to 4.

For Nigerian cyclists, the Abuja festival could provide an important opportunity to demonstrate their abilities before national selectors and work towards qualifying for the global championships. However, participation in the festival does not automatically guarantee qualification, which will depend on the applicable selection and eligibility requirements.

The 10th anniversary edition comes as organisers seek to build on previous festivals and strengthen the position of mountain biking within Nigeria’s sporting landscape. The inclusion of internationally recognised race formats and a purpose-developed course is intended to improve competitive standards and encourage the emergence of more specialised riders.

Street News Reporters will continue to monitor preparations for the Chaingang Mountain Bike Festival, including registration updates, participating athletes, qualification arrangements and further announcements from the organisers and the Cycling Federation of Nigeria.