EVENT INFO

THE SPECIALIZED CACTUS CUP

The Cactus Cup is Arizona’s Original Mountain Bike Stage race, it’s history dates back to 1991.  This is 3 days of racing to crack open the season featuring a Short Track, XC and Enduro event.  To chase the Cactus Cup and capture the overall title, all 3 days of the stage race must be completed. Registration for individual events as well. So join us for 1, 2 or 3 days!

Full Cactus Cup:

• FRIDAY – Short Track | 3pm
• SATURDAY – The XC 40 MILE | 7:30am
• SUNDAY – Enduro | 7:45am (Mini Cup) and 8:00am (Cactus Cup)
• AWARDS – 3 deep per category per day
• REGISTRATION FEE – $140 |  Jrs are 35% off  (as of 04MAR19)
• JUNIORS – 13 – 18 years old will race for… World MTB Stage Race Championship!
  • CATEGORIES – 13 – 15 & 16 – 18 male and female

MINI CUP: *New for 2019!

New to stage racing or a beginner mountain biker? If you are curious about stage racing try the Mini Cup version

• FRIDAY – Short Track | 3pm
• SATURDAY – The XC 40 KM (25 mile) | 8:25am
• SUNDAY – Enduro | 7:45am
• AWARDS – 3 deep per category per day
• REGISTRATION FEE – $140 |  Jrs are 35% off  (as of 04MAR19)

PRIZE PURSE:

$5,000 Prize Purse awarded to the Cactus Cup Elite male / Elite female field. You do NOT need to be a card carrying professional for this race. If you think you have what it takes,  and want a shot at the cash, register as an Elite!

NEW FOR 2019 – PAYING OUT 5 DEEP, AND INCREASE TO $5,000 TOTAL!

Purse Break Down:

Cactus Cup Elite Men Overall Top 5: $1,200, $600, $300, $200, $100
Cactus Cup Elite Women Overall Top 5: $1,200, $600, $300, $200, $100
Elite Prem for Short Track: Men Top 1: $100, Women Top 1: $100

AWARDS and LEADER PRESENTATION:

Awards – each day the top 3 of each event, and each category will be awarded on the podium.
Leader presentation – each day the overall leader of each category in the Cactus Cup, and the Mini Cup will be recognized.

Reminder – Participants may enter any combination of the individual events or choose to enter 3 days of racing in either the Cactus Cup Stage Race or the Mini stage race.

THE PARTY:

No gathering of mountain bikers is complete without a good party. Friday afternoon/evening will kick off the weekend down at the pump track. Spectators can watch the Landis Cyclery Short Track event up close as riders hit the big berms with the Huss Brewing Beer Garden right in the middle of it!

Saturday features the Expo, opening at 9am, Beer Garden at 10:30am and live music on the main stage from one of our favorite local bands, Dusty Tuffet at 11am! It’s the place for post-race celebration with great Huss beer, music, awards ceremony and lots of shade. Huss will be serving our favorites! Orange Blossom, Copper State IPA, Koffee Kolsch and Scottsdale Blonde. 100% Sales from the beer garden support Central Arizona Mountain Bike Patrol who patrol local trails and are an essential part of the mountain bike community.

LOCATION:

McDowell Mountain Regional Park (Map)
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Fountain Hills, Az 85628

DIRECTIONS:

Click here for directions to the McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

PARKING AND CAMPING:

Updated Feb. 21 2019: 

FEES FOR PARKING/CAMPING IN THE COMPETITIVE LOT:

• $22 per night primitive camping fee in the ‘Comp.’ Lot. Camping is first come, first served and available beginning on Friday morning for Friday and Saturday night camping. There is very limited area with only the north side available to general public.  Camping is dry, there are no hook ups and only porto potties available. Tents, RV’s and car camping welcome. You may set up camping ONLY as early as Friday morning March 8 at 8AM.
• $ 7 daily parking fee to enter the McDowell Mountain Park if you are not camping onsite and just coming in each day.  The ‘Comp.’ Lot is your first left after guard gate and is the location of the main venue. This lot will fill up fast.

FEES FOR PARKING/CAMPING IN THE FOUR PEAKS LOT (OVERFLOW LOT):

• $15 per night primitive camping fee in the Four Peaks Lot. Camping is first come, first served and we do not expect it to completely fill up, so you will always find a spot to park or camp. Camping is dry, there are no hook ups and only porto potties available. Tents, RV’s and car camping welcome. You may set up camping ONLY as early as Friday morning March 8 at 8AM.
• $ 7 daily parking fee to enter the McDowell Mountain Park if you are not camping onsite and just coming in each day. Four Peaks Parking Lot is your first right after guard gate.

If you are interested in the Park’s official campground that provides RV Hookups, showers and bathrooms. You will need to reserve directly with the park, information can be found here.    This campground is tucked in the park about 2 miles away from the event venue.

REGISTRATION REFUND POLICY:

We know life can get in the way sometimes, and inevitably sometimes you can’t make it…but we plan on you being there. Rather than cut you no slack, we offer more than most:
Up until 4 weeks out – 50% refund
Inside of 4 weeks till the event, no refunds
No exceptions.