Sacha Earnest Heads to China for the 2026 GDL Championship at Thaiwoo

Sacha Earnest Heads to China for the 2026 GDL Championship at Thaiwoo

Sacha Earnest at the Lenzerheide World Series

One of New Zealand's rising downhill racers, Sacha Earnest, is set to line up in the Elite Women's category at next week's 2026 GDL Championship, bringing even more international flavour to one of Asia's biggest downhill races.

Sacha Earnest at the South Korea World Series

Fresh from a busy international schedule that has included rounds of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and races across Europe and Asia, Earnest heads to Thaiwoo Mountain Bike Park in Chongli, China, for one of the highlights of the Chinese downhill season.

Sacha Earnest at the South Korea and the Lenzerheide World Series

Known for her smooth, confident riding style and positive attitude in the paddock, Sacha has become a familiar face for Asian downhill fans after racing in Korea earlier this season. Her appearance at Thaiwoo continues to strengthen the growing connection between the international downhill scene and Asia's rapidly developing race calendar.

Sacha Earnest at the Lenzerheide World Series

One of China's Premier Downhill Events

The 2026 GDL Championship takes place from 17–19 July at Thaiwoo Mountain Bike Park, located in Chongli, just northwest of Beijing.

Over the past few years, Thaiwoo has established itself as one of China's premier gravity riding destinations. Originally developed as a world-class ski resort, the venue transforms each summer into an impressive mountain bike park featuring lift-accessed trails, technical terrain and spectacular alpine scenery.

As one of the most important races on the GDL calendar, the Championship attracts China's fastest downhill riders alongside a growing number of international competitors, with valuable championship points on the line.

The Race Schedule

The action begins on Friday, 17 July, with rider registration and open practice on the GDL Black Line.

Saturday features the official opening ceremony, morning practice sessions and qualifying races for the youth categories before the spotlight shifts to one of the weekend's most entertaining events—the Whip-Off Contest under the lights, complete with live music and plenty of style.

On Sunday, riders in the Women's, Masters, Open and Elite Men's categories battle through qualifying before the fastest riders return for the afternoon finals, followed by the official podium ceremony.

Friday, July 17

• Rider registration
• Open practice on the GDL Black Line

Saturday, July 18

• Opening ceremony
• Official practice
• Qualifying for youth categories
• Night-time Whip-Off contest with live music

Sunday, July 19

• Official practice
• Qualifying for Women, Masters, Open and Elite Men
• Finals for all categories
• Podium ceremony

The GDL Black Line

The championship will be contested on Thaiwoo's famous GDL Black Line, a track that perfectly combines speed and technical riding.

Expect steep sections, rock gardens, flowing berms, jumps and multiple line choices that reward riders who can stay smooth while carrying maximum speed from top to bottom. It is a course that demands commitment, precision and consistency—qualities that often separate the fastest racers from the rest of the field.

Categories

The event features racing across all age groups and abilities, including:

• U10
• U13
• U15
• U17
• U19
• Elite Women
• Open U29
• Open U39
• Masters 40+
• Elite Men

As an A-Level GDL Championship, the race awards double championship points, making it a crucial weekend for riders chasing the overall series standings.

More Than Racing

Beyond the downhill competition, the GDL Championship has become a celebration of mountain bike culture.

Saturday night's Whip-Off Contest promises huge style, big air and plenty of entertainment, while riders, teams and spectators gather throughout the weekend around Thaiwoo Village, creating one of the best atmospheres of the Chinese racing season.

MTBMAGASIA at Thaiwoo

MTBMAGASIA will once again be following all the action from Thaiwoo, bringing you race coverage, behind-the-scenes stories and plenty of images from one of Asia's biggest downhill weekends.

With international talent like Sacha Earnest joining China's fastest riders on the mountain, all the ingredients are in place for another unforgettable weekend of downhill racing.

Words & Pictures: Mesum Verma

Last Year Race Report at Thaiwoo

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