Friday – Prologue (TBC)

Short. Steep. Honest.

The 2026 Epoch Canterbury Tour opened with a classic prologue up Evans Pass — a short, sharp individual time trial that set the tone early and made sure nobody got to hide in the bunch.

It was simple, brutal, and very Canterbury: point the bike uphill, ignore the burning legs, and try not to look too cooked at the top.

For the next edition, the prologue format and course are still being reviewed by the Race Directors.

What we can say is this: the opening stage will remain a key part of the tour. It will be designed to create early time gaps, reward strong all-round riders, and set up the weekend’s racing properly.

Full course details, start times, equipment rules, and rider instructions will be confirmed once the final route has been approved.

Prologue details to be confirmed

Location: To be confirmed
Distance: To be confirmed
Registration time: 1.30 pm
First rider start: 3:30 PM
Race format: Individual Time Trial
Equipment regulations: To be confirmed

Saturday – Cust Stages

Race Central: Cust Community Centre & Prize giving: Cust Hotel

Sunday is decisive. Whatever the GC looks like overnight, it will not look the same by 4:00 pm.

Stage 2 – Morning Road Race

Start time: Here

Distances

All other grades: 2 laps – 72 km

This stage rewards control and discipline. Let the wrong move go and the cost is paid later.

Stage 3 – Afternoon Road Stage

Start time: Here

Distances

U17: Turn Just before Ashley Gorge Bridge– 40 km

All other grades: Full out-and-back, Just before Garry River  – 62 km

A chance to move the General Classification. No hiding. Still got  tomorrow.

Sunday – Loburn Stages

Race Central: Loburn School

Sunday is about rhythm and resilience. Loburn delivers repeated efforts, exposed roads, and the kind of racing that quietly breaks riders before they realise it’s happening.

Stage 4 – Morning Road Race (Loburn)

Start time: SEE ALL HERE

Distances

U17 / Women B / Men D / Men C: 2.5 laps – 59 km

Women A / Men B / Men A: 4 laps – 88 km

Stage 5 – Afternoon Road Race (Loburn)

Start time: Here

Distances

All other grades: Full out-and-back – 58 km

Fatigue starts to talk in Stage 5. Teams come into play. Riders without patience get found out.