The Sakai-Wellington Sister City Mountain Bike Race is set on Mt Victoria, part of Wellington's inner city 'green belt', overlooking the central city and harbour. This is an area of pine forest, open grass fields and native bush with excellent views of the Wellington region. The course follows most of the route of the Wellington World Cup race, 12-13 April.

From the start at Hataitai Park riders race directly up to the main ridge of the mountain. They then continue climbing, up the ridge, to the high point at 165 metres. Their effort is rewarded by a fast descent through forest before the 'Sweetest Single Track' section. Next riders must finish the climb back up to the main ridge and over Mout Alfred before the start of a long rolling descent to the southern tip of the course. The homeward leg follows, passes through dense native bush with more fast single track.

To finish, racers enter Wellington's velodrome and sprint for the line. The total loop is approximately 6 kilometers long. Recreational riders will do two laps; all sport catagories three laps; all expert riders do four laps.

Junior Challenge

For juniors there is the opportunity to race on the actual World Cup course prior to the Men's World Cup race on the 13^th April. This is the first year that a junior event is part of the World Cup circuit. Four laps junior men and three for junior women.