Winter Worlds 2026
Flat, fast, friendly-ish road racing for anyone keen enough to pin on a number in winter. Elite riders, nervous first-timers, juniors, comeback merchants and those who “just need a hit-out” — you’re all welcome.
Cancellations or delayed starts will be posted on the Facebook page and group by 8am Sunday.
Seven winter race days. One bragging-rights problem.
Sector Six starts the fire in June. Winter Worlds proper rolls from July. Bring legs, layers and a small amount of misplaced confidence.
2026 Race Dates
- Sector Six Sun 7 Jun 2026
- Sector Six Sun 21 Jun 2026
- Round 1 Sun 19 Jul 2026
- Round 2 Sun 26 Jul 2026
- Round 3 Sun 2 Aug 2026
- Round 4 Sun 9 Aug 2026
- Round 5 Sun 16 Aug 2026
Main race distance. Flat-out fun, depending on your definition of fun.
Foundation Grade for riders building confidence and fitness.
Development Grade. A great place to start without needing to pretend you’re Pogacar.
Grades from Elite through to Development. There’s a spot for you.
Road Cycling For Everyone
Winter Worlds is open to anyone with a bicycle in good working order and a willingness to have a crack. No club membership. No racing licence. No need to wait until you feel “ready”, because frankly, nobody ever does.
First-time racers welcome
New to racing? Perfect. Start in Development or Foundation Grade, learn the rhythm, and discover that the nerves usually disappear once the flag drops.
Plenty for the fast crowd
Elite, A, B, C and D grades give stronger riders a proper race without needing to fly to Belgium and eat questionable sandwiches.
Juniors can race too
Riders over 15 can race the main grades. The 12K Development Grade is open to all ages, including under-15 riders. We strongly recommend U15 riders wear hi-vis.
Six
With
Spice
Sector Six Gravel
A punchy Winter Worlds side quest with a short gravel sector, multiple laps and just enough spice to make your road bike question your life choices.
It is not full-send gravel carnage. It is road-race-friendly gravel with character. Which is organiser-speak for “you’ll be fine, probably”.
- ✓ Race dates: Sunday 7 June and Sunday 21 June 2026
- ✓ Short, repeatable circuit format
- ✓ Easy gravel, suitable for confident road riders
- ✓ Different challenge, same Winter Worlds attitude
How It Works
Simple racing. Clear course. Friendly bunch. Occasional suffering. Very Canterbury.
When
Sector Six runs on Sunday 7 June and Sunday 21 June. Winter Worlds proper runs Sundays from 19 July to 16 August 2026. Racing starts at 2pm.
Where
The regular Winter Worlds course is out at Lincoln, racing from Springs Road.
Pick-up
Race number pick-up is TBA, from 1.30pm to 1.50pm each Sunday.
Updates
Cancellations and delayed starts will be posted on Facebook by 8am Sunday.
The Course
The Winter Worlds course is flat, fast and easy to follow, with major intersections controlled by marshals.
It is proper open-road racing, so riders must follow road rules, listen to the briefing, and avoid doing anything that gives the organiser extra grey hairs. He has enough already.
Race Dates
Two Sector Six gravel races in June, then five Winter Worlds Sundays. Enter one, enter the lot, or tell yourself you’ll enter later and then panic on Saturday night like a normal cyclist.
Entry Fees
Keep it simple. Enter online, bring your bike, pick up your number, and try not to spend the first lap explaining how little training you’ve done.
Senior entry online or on the day
Junior entry for under-19 riders
We need good humans too
Racing only works because people put their hand up. If you can marshal, help with signs, assist at registration, or generally be useful without needing a cape, we’d love you involved.
Backed By Good Sorts
Winter racing does not magically appear from the mist. Our sponsors, supporters and volunteers help keep the wheels turning.
Think You’re Too Good For Winter Worlds?
Perfect. Come prove it. Nervous to race? Even better — you’re exactly who we want on the line. Winter Worlds is for anyone willing to show up, clip in, and have a crack.
First race starts 2pm. Number pick-up TBA from 1.30pm to 1.50pm. Facebook updates by 8am Sunday if the weather does something deeply Canterbury.
