SPECIALIZED CACTUS CUP
- Date Fri 13th March 2026 - Sun 15th March 2026
- Time 5:00PM MST
- Location Fountain Hills, Arizona
- Price $11.60 - $234.20
- Races 16 races
- Distances Ultra, 1 Mile
Event summary
Participants can look forward to a variety of race distances, including a challenging XC 40-mile Big Loop on Saturday, followed by an exhilarating XC 20-mile Sprint on Sunday. For those looking for a shorter challenge, the Mini Cup offers a 25-mile race on Saturday and a 20-mile Sprint on Sunday. New this year is the Female Sign New Team category, allowing friends to ride together and finish within two minutes for a shared victory! Whether you're gunning for the pro cup or simply enjoying the thrill of the ride, the Cactus Cup offers something for everyone. Join us in the desert for a weekend of fast racing, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories!
Organiser's Description
Get ready for a fresh take on Arizonas Original Mountain Bike Stage Race, now packing all the action into an epic 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 and this year, were mixing it up with new formats, fresh challenges, and even more ways to race!
WHAT'S NEW?
Weve packed the fun into two stacked days of racing with something for everyone.
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
FOR AGE GROUPERS TWO CUP OPTIONS:
* THE CACTUS CUP
* SATURDAY: XC 40-Mile (same course as the pros)
* SUNDAY: XC 20-Mile Sprint
* WINNER = Combined Time from both days
* THE MINI CUP
* SATURDAY: XC 25-Mile
* SUNDAY: XC 20-Mile Sprint
* WINNER = Combined Time from both days
FEMALE SIGN NEW TEAM CATEGORY Ride with a Friend!
* DUO: Ride both days together just finish within 2 minutes of each other!
Whether youre chasing the Cup, teaming up with a buddy, or just out for a desert rip YOU CAN RACE 1, 2, OR BOTH DAYS.
THIS IS THE CACTUS CUP LIKE YOUVE NEVER SEEN IT.
Same iconic trails. Same Cactus Cup vibe. Now with MORE WAYS TO PLAY. Lets ride!
Races
-
Pro Cactus Cup
Incl. $11.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:00AM MST)
$191.80
chequered flag For the Pros: Saturday: person mountain biking XC 40-Mile Big Loop repeat button Short Track Showdown (evening throwdown!) Sunday: high voltage XC 20-Mile Sprint trophy Pro Cup Winner = Aggregate Time of all 3 races -
Cactus Cup
Incl. $11.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:00AM MST)
$191.80
The Cactus Cup Saturday: XC 40-Mile (same course as the pros) Sunday: XC 20-Mile Sprint trophy Winner = Combined Time from both days -
Cactus Cup Duo
Incl. $14.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:00AM MST)
$234.20
CLOSED -
Mini Cup
Incl. $11.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:00AM MST)
$191.80
The Mini Cup Saturday: XC 25-Mile Sunday: XC 20-Mile Sprint trophy Winner = Combined Time from both days -
Mini Cup Duo
Incl. $14.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:00AM MST)
$234.20
-
Xc - 40 Mile
Incl. $6.70 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (7:00AM MST)
$101.70
One big loop within the Regional Park. Smooth and flowy with sections of rocky climbs and descents -
Xc - 25 Mile
Incl. $6.70 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:00AM MST)
$101.70
One loop within the Regional Park encompassing all competitive track trails and a portion of Pemberton -
Xc - 10 Mile
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (11:00AM MST)
$54.00
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 -
Xc Sprint - 20 Mile
Incl. $5.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 15th March 2026 (8:00AM MST)
$80.50
One loop incorporating different parts of this iconic part with several spicy climbs amidst the Saguaro cactus and wildflowers! -
Gravel Shakeout
Incl. $2.20 Fee
Sun 15th March 2026 (11:00AM MST)
$22.20
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. -
Kids Mountain Bike Camp
Incl. $9.40 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (7:30AM MST)
$149.40
Kids ages 6 - 12 can participate in the kids mountain bike camp on Saturday while you race the XC! -
LITTLE SHREDDERS RACE (Beginner Kinder - 5th Grade)
Incl. $1.60 Fee
Sat 14th March 2026 (2:30PM MST)
$11.60
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)
Incl. $3.10 Fee
Sat 14th March 2026 (2:30PM MST)
$38.10
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)
Incl. $3.10 Fee
Sat 14th March 2026 (2:30PM MST)
$38.10
Advanced - Race on the Sport Loop, 2 laps 6th 8th grade: Each grade will have its 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
Incl. $1.60 Fee
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:30AM MST)
$11.60
For the little shredders! All racing takes place at the pump track -
Vintage Criterium Race
Incl. $2.20 Fee
Fri 13th March 2026 (5:00PM MST)
$22.20
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.
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16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr., Fountain Hills, 85263, AZ, United States
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SPECIALIZED CACTUS CUP
