Epoch Canterbury Tour

After a brilliant first year, we are back and already working on making year two even better. The first tour delivered three days of proper racing, outstanding Canterbury roads, amazing weather, strong fields, and fantastic support from riders, volunteers, sponsors, officials, families and supporters.

The feedback has been hugely positive, and it is clear there is a real appetite for a proper multi-day road race in Canterbury.

For 2027, the weekend structure will change slightly. Saturday racing will move to Cust, and Sunday will move to Loburn. This gives us the chance to build a stronger final-day race village at Loburn School, with food, BBQ, drinks, prizegiving and a proper post-tour catch-up straight after racing.

The Time Trial course is still to be confirmed. Alex and Marc are currently scouting options, which means it will probably be scenic, challenging, and just horrible enough to be memorable. More details will be released once the course is locked in.

The gravel section will also return. It was one of the big talking points from year one, created great racing, and gave the tour a point of difference without turning it into a full gravel race. Road bikes are still the weapon of choice. Just bring your line-holding skills and try not to ride like a shopping trolley.

We are also keen to keep growing the women’s grades. If numbers allow, we would love to add a Women C grade so more riders have a place to race competitively and confidently.

The Epoch Canterbury Tour is a race worth building towards. Every stage matters. Every decision counts. Every weakness eventually gets found, usually on a climb, in a crosswind, or when someone decides the pace has been too friendly.

Event: Epoch Canterbury Tour

Dates: ANZAC Weekend, 23-25 April 2027

Format: Three-day, multi-stage road race

Locations: Time Trial TBC, Cust and Loburn

Grades: Men’s, women’s and junior grades

Entries: Opening later in the year

The first year proved the concept.

Now we build.

Bring your form. Bring your team. Bring your excuses if you must.

Just make sure you bring your bike.