calendar_today 03 May, 2026
directions_bike Cycling
nordic_walking Others
language Official Website
sell $170.00 – $517.00
The Mudgee Classic 2026 is a premier cycling event set in the heart of New South Wales’ premier wine region. Scheduled for Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, 2026, the event offers a comprehensive multi-discipline experience. Saturday features the Dirty Mudgee, focusing on remote gravel tracks starting from Cooyal Hall, while Sunday hosts a series of Gran Fondo road courses through the region's rolling hills. The event emphasizes self-sufficiency and high-performance endurance, set against a backdrop of historic vineyards and rural landscapes. A 20% discount is available for riders choosing to participate in both a gravel and road event across the weekend.
The festival offers seven distinct courses across the two days. The "Dirty Mudgee" gravel events are remote and require an average speed of 20 km/h, while the Sunday road events cater to everyone from competitive racers to social riders.
| Event | Distance | Date | Primary Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dirty Mudgee Grit | 90 km | Sat, May 2 | Gravel / Off-road |
| Maxi Classic | 170 km | Sun, May 3 | Sealed Road |
| Challenge Classic | 120 km | Sun, May 3 | Sealed Road |
| Rouleurs Classic | 65 km | Sun, May 3 | Sealed Road |
| Social Classic | 35 km | Sun, May 3 | Sealed Road |
Mudgee is a historic town in the Mid-Western Regional Council of New South Wales, located approximately 268 km northwest of Sydney. As of the 2021 Census, the town of Mudgee had a population of 11,563, while the broader regional council area reached 25,700 residents. The demographic composition is primarily Australian-born (84.4%), with the most common ancestries being English (43.2%) and Australian (42.2%). Approximately 6.6% of the population identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The median weekly household income is approximately A$1,560, sustained by a robust economy split between viticulture, agriculture, and a significant coal mining sector.
The local culture is defined by sophisticated ruralism and high-end hospitality. Mudgee residents take great pride in their status as a "foodie" destination, fostering a lifestyle that balances hard-working primary industries with fine dining and artisanal production. This duality is reflected in the Mudgee Classic, which pairs the "grit" of remote gravel racing with the "classic" elegance of road cycling through vineyard-lined lanes. The community is welcoming and has a long history of supporting mass-participation sports, viewing these events as essential to the regional identity. The culture here is characterized by a "work hard, play well" ethos, where physical endurance is typically rewarded with the region's world-class Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cyclists must provide proof of AusCycling insurance or purchase day cover to participate. The "Dirty Mudgee" courses are specifically noted as remote and self-supported, requiring riders to be prepared for limited mechanical assistance. Sunday's Gran Fondo events provide a more supported environment, with age restrictions requiring those 12–16 to be accompanied by an adult. With late pricing currently in effect, participants are encouraged to secure their registrations before the event starts. The "Social Classic" serves as an entry point for casual riders, while the 170km "Maxi" remains a bucket-list challenge for serious road cyclists across Australia.
May 03, 2026
Distance — 120km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$280.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 170km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$325.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 35km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$170.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 65km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$235.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 55km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$210.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 90km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$240.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 175km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$448.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 225km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$493.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 90km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$338.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 120km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$403.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 210km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$472.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 260km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$517.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 125km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$362.00
May 03, 2026
Distance — 155km
Type — Cycling, Others
07:00
$427.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Mudgee.
Learn more about the host city, Mudgee.
Mudgee is a township in the Central West region of the Australian state of New South Wales. Together with its neighbour Gulgong, Mudgee offers fantastic historical heritage and a host of great small wineries.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
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