Get Ready to Shred! The FNQ Interschool Challenge is Back and Bigger Than Ever!

Since 2016, a dedicated crew of teachers ignited a passion for mountain biking in school kids across Far North Queensland, and the FNQ Interschool Challenge has been the epicenter of that movement! In 2024, Crank Collective has jumped in to lend their expertise, and for 2025, were proudly taking the reins, promising an unforgettable series of events!

What's New for 2026?

This year, prepare for even more thrills! Not only will individual riders battle it out for medals at the end of each round, but we'll also crown the "Fastest High School" and "Fastest Junior School" overall champions at the series' grand finale!

Gear Up and Get Involved!

Students are covered by AusCycling insurance, so you can focus on the ride! If you're keen to represent your school, chat with your Head of Sport about forming a team.

Official school support is welcomed but not needed to race

Prizes Galore and Triple the Tracks!

Thanks to our incredibly generous sponsors, a spectacular array of prizes awaits all riders in 2026! And for the first time, all three of our incredible local parks will be showcased, offering diverse and challenging terrain at Smithfield, Davies, and Atherton! Get ready to conquer them all!

Any riders that enter Race 1 ( Davies Creek) and Race 2 ( Atherton) will be emailed a $10 off entry discount code for race 3 ( Smithfield)

Round 1 Davies Creek (Mareeba) Cross Country

Date: Sunday May 31st

Event/Rego Site: Davies Creek MTB Park.

Event Schedule:

Plate collection/ Rider rego - 8:45am
Rider briefing - 9:15am
Riders Start - 9:30am
Racing Finished – 11:00am
Presentation / Random Prize Draw – After last rider gets back to Rego site.

Event Info:

We encourage all riders to go ride the race tracks before race day.
All race tracks are accessible prior to the event and are well marked on trail maps.
Race tracks will be marked with course tape , it will be put up the day before or on race morning
Coffee will be available at the start
BBQ lunch and drinks will available for purchase, along with fruit and lollies
All kids will receive a FREE zooper dooper ice pole after finishing
There are toilets at the event registration site.
There is NO feed zone on the course
Social/Non-competitive class is not eligible for podiums.
Riders are to ride a bike in good working condition

Clothing requirements as per Aus Cycling Guidelines for Cross Country XCO

· 5.12.08 For all riders who are eligible to compete in Under 13, 15 and Under 17 categories, the following equipment is mandatory during special stages regardless of registered category entered:

Full Face or open face (half lid) Helmet that meets AS/NZS 2063:2008 or updated AS/NZS 2063:2020 standard
Full-finger or open finger gloves can be worn
Full length or short sleeve jersey

Short Course Info

· Riders in Grade 5-6 (Ages 10-11), Grade 7-8 (Ages 12-13) and the Social/Non-Competitive Class.

Total Course Length: Total 2.6km
Trail number 7 full lap
Number of laps:
-Grade 5-6 (Age 10-11) - 2 laps
-Grade 7-8 (Age 12-13) - 3 laps
Feed zone is located – Event site/ Registration
Course map file - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49644576

Long Course Info:

· Riders in Grade 9-10 ( Ages 14-15) and Grade 11-12 ( Ages 16+)

Total Course Length: Total 5.5km
Trail number 1 up to table- return down to trail 7 full lap
Number of Laps:
-Grade 9-10 (Ages 14-15) - 2 lap
-Grade 11-12 (Ages 16+) - 3 laps

Feed zone is located - Event site/ Registration

● Course map file - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51474623

Register Now

Round 2 Atherton Forest MTB Park Enduro

Date: Sunday July 26th

Event/Rego Site: Atherton MTB Park trail head, past Gun Club on Rifle Range Road.

Event Schedule:

Plate collection/ Rider rego - 8:45am
Rider briefing - 9:15am
Riders Start - 9:30am
Racing Finished - 1:30pm
Presentation / Random Prize Draw – After last rider gets back to Rego site.

Event Info:

We encourage all riders to go ride the race stages before race day.
All race stages are accessible prior to the event and are well marked on trail maps.
Race tracks will be marked with start/finish signs 1 week prior to the event and any required course tape will be put up the day before.
Coffee will be available at the start/ Registration
BBQ lunch and drinks will available for purchase from the Atherton Mountain Bike Club.
There are toilets at the event rego site.
There is one feed zone located on the course with water, lollies and fruit.
Social/Non-competitive class is not eligible for podiums.
Riders are to ride a bike in good working condition
Personal responsibility and self-sufficiency are a large part of the spirit of Enduro racing and riders are encouraged to carry adequate equipment to make it through the day (a multi-tool, a spare tube, water and food).

Clothing requirements as per Aus Cycling Guidelines for ENDURO Racing

· 5.12.08 For all riders who are eligible to compete in Under 13, 15 and Under 17 categories, the following equipment is mandatory during special stages regardless of registered category entered:

Full Face Helmet (can have detachable chin guard) that meets AS/NZS 2063:2008 or updated AS/NZS 2063:2020 standard
Full-finger gloves must be worn
Full length jersey (Jersey must cover elbows at all times)
Knee pads and elbow pads must be worn.

Short Course Info

· Riders in Grade 5-6 (Ages 10-11), Grade 7-8 (Ages 12-13) and the Social/Non-Competitive Class.

Total Course Length: Total 9km
Race Distance: 3.2km / 145mtr Vert Climbing total
Race Stages
-Stage 1 / Track 10 Cliffhanger , 1.1km race distance

-Stage 2 / Track 4 Up and Hover ,500mtr race distance

-Stage 3 / Track 4 Luna Park , 500mtr race distance

-Stage 4 / Track 9 Ricochet ( Bottom) , 1.1km race distance

Feed zone is located – Ricochet Carpark
Course map file - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53908270

Long Course Info:

· Riders in Grade 9-10 ( Ages 14-15) and Grade 11-12 ( Ages 16+)

Total Course Length: Total 12.5km
Race Distance: 4.4km / 233mtr vert climbing total
Race Stages
-Stage 1 / Track 10 Cliffhanger , 1.1km race distance

-Stage 2 / Track 4 Up and Hover ,500mtr race distance

-Stage 3 / Track 4 Luna Park , 500mtr race distance

-Stage 4 / Track 9 Ricochet ( Bottom) , 1.1km race distance

-Stage 5 / Track 13 Yahoo Wahoo ( halfway) , 1.2km race distance

Feed zone is located - Ricochet Carpark

● Course map file - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53909172

Register Now

Round 3 Smithfield MTB Park Enduro

Date: Sunday September 6th

Event/Rego Site: Smithfield MTB Park / Crankworx event site behind JCU Campus

Event Schedule:

Plate collection/ Rider rego - 8:45am
Rider briefing - 9:15am
Riders Start - 9:30am
Racing Finished - 1:30pm
Presentation / Random Prize Draw – After last rider gets back to Rego site.

Event Info:

We encourage all riders to go ride the race stages before race day.
All race stages are accessible prior to the event and are well marked on trail maps.
Race tracks will be marked with start/finish signs 1 week prior to the event and any required course tape will be put up the day before.
Coffee will be available at the start/ Registration
BBQ lunch and drinks will be available for purchase from the Cairns Mountain Bike Club.
There are toilets at the event registration site.
There is one feed zone located on the course with water, lollies and fruit.
Social/Non-competitive class is not eligible for podiums.
Riders are to ride a bike in good working condition
Personal responsibility and self-sufficiency are a large part of the spirit of Enduro racing and riders are encouraged to carry adequate equipment to make it through the day (a multi-tool, a spare tube, water and food).

Clothing requirements as per Aus Cycling Guidelines for ENDURO Racing

· 5.12.08 For all riders who are eligible to compete in Under 13, 15 and Under 17 categories, the following equipment is mandatory during special stages regardless of registered category entered:

Full Face Helmet (can have detachable chin guard)that meets AS/NZS 2063:2008 or updated AS/NZS 2063:2020 standard
Full-finger gloves must be worn
Full length jersey (Jersey must cover elbows at all times)
Knee pads and elbow pads must be worn.