Elite Racing Information

In 2019, the XTERRA World Tour features more than 30 elite races in 26 countries offering more than $530,000 USD in prize money to the fastest off-roaders from around the globe.

The 14-stop XTERRA European Tour awards $165,000, the 11-stop XTERRA Pan American Tour awards $185,000, the five-stop XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour awards $82,500, and the stand-alone XTERRA World Championship dishes out $100,000.

Last year more than 100 elites earned prize money from XTERRA and since its inception in 1996 XTERRA has distributed more than eight million dollars to the sports biggest stars.

Below you’ll find basic information about competing as an elite in 2019.

Should you have any questions, e-mail pro [at] xterraplanet.com or call our Hawaii office toll-free 1-877-751-8880.

TOUR RULES (PDF)

2019 XTERRA Pan America Tour Rules for Elites/Professionals

2019 XTERRA European Tour Rules for Elites/Professionals

2019 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour Rules for Elites/Professionals

QUALIFYING FOR XTERRA WORLDS – MUST RACE ONE RULE

To compete at the XTERRA World Championship elite athletes are required to race at least one XTERRA event, then request an entry by emailing pro [at] xterraplanet.com.

“The spirit of the rule is to honor the core collection of elite athletes that race with us year-round and support our growing number of XTERRA World Tour championship events,” said XTERRA President Janet Clark. “From February through September we offer more than 30 prize paying races in 26 countries around the world. We feel this provides ample opportunity for professionals serious about racing in Maui to compete in at least one qualifying race. We need to honor the commitment and loyalty of the pros that are with us during the year.”

There are five notable exceptions to the rule, which are granted to 1) former world champions, 2) XTERRA World Tour race champions from previous year, 3) sponsor exemptions, 4) athletes actively racing for a spot on their nation’s Olympic team in 2019/2020; and 5) extenuating circumstances due to injury.

  1. Former XTERRA World Champions are always welcome.
  2. All World Tour Championship race winners from the previous season will automatically qualify to enter the XTERRA World Championship the following year.
  3. The Title Sponsor of the XTERRA World Championship is allowed two racer selections per year. Presenting Sponsors are allowed one racer selection per year. The decision as to who receives the sponsor exemptions is made by the managing director in conjunction with each sponsor.
  4. Athletes actively racing for a spot on their nation’s Olympic team will be exempt from the “must race one” rule in 2019 and 2020 with the understanding they will be confined to a strict schedule.
  5. The managing director can use their best judgment on a case-by-case basis in determining severity of injuries that kept an athlete from competing in a qualified race.

Athletes interested in receiving a sponsor exemption or wish to explain non-compliance due to injury should email XTERRA at pro [at] xterraplanet.com.

ELIGIBILITY

Any racer wanting to enter as an elite/professional must furnish proof that they have been accepted as a professional by a recognized multisport governing body. Examples of this are:

  • USA Triathlon
  • USA Cycling (road, cyclocross, track or mountain bike)
  • Any national governing body for triathlon
  • Any national governing body for cycling

The athlete must present a current card marked clearly and legibly. Without proof of being licensed as a professional, athletes may not compete in the pro category. If your country does not issue elite cards, request a letter from the president of your federation granting permission for you to represent your country as a professional in international competition. Write pro [at] xterraplanet.com with questions.

USA TRIATHLON REQUIREMENTS

Athletes wishing to race as an elite off-road triathlete in any USAT sanctioned event must hold an elite license. XTERRA Oak Mountain, XTERRA Beaver Creek, the XTERRA Pan American Championship, and the XTERRA World Championship are all USAT sanctioned events. Foreign athletes may apply to USA Triathlon for a Foreign Elite License. Every person who races must have a valid USA Triathlon membership or purchase a one-day membership before being allowed to compete. Learn more about USAT Elite Membership.

2019 XTERRA WORLD TOUR ELITE RACE SCHEDULE

Date Race Location QS Elite Purse $USD
24-Feb XTERRA South Africa Grabouw, Western Cape 51 ^
9-Mar XTERRA Motatapu South Island, New Zealand 18 $2,400
23-Mar XTERRA Argentina # Silver Dique Ullum, San Juan 26 $7,500
30-Mar XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship + GOLD Kenting, TW 51 $25,000
31-Mar XTERRA Chile # Silver San Bernardo, Santiago 26 $7,500
6-Apr XTERRA New Zealand + Silver Rotorua 26 $7,300
7-Apr XTERRA Cyprus * Silver Akamas 26 $7,500
21-Apr XTERRA Greece * Silver Vouliagmeni 26 $7,500
11-May XTERRA Brazil # GOLD Ilhabela 51 $15,000
18-May XTERRA Oak Mountain # GOLD Pelham, Alabama, USA 51 $15,000
18-May XTERRA Malta * Silver Majjistral Nature Reserve 26 $7,500
26-May XTERRA Italy - Lake Garda * Silver Toscolano 26 $7,500
26-May XTERRA Costa Rica * Silver Playa Reserva Conchal 26 $7,500
31-May XTERRA Tahiti + Silver Moorea 26 $7,500
1-Jun XTERRA Portugal * Silver Golega 26 $7,500
8-Jun XTERRA Belgium * Silver Namur 26 $7,500
16-Jun XTERRA Denmark * Silver Aarhus 26 $7,500
29-Jun XTERRA Switzerland * Silver Vallee de Joux 26 $7,500
7-Jul XTERRA France * GOLD Xonrupt 51 $15,000
7-Jul XTERRA Victoria # Silver Victoria, B.C., Canada 26 $7,500
14-Jul XTERRA Quebec # Silver Quebec City, QC, Canada 26 $7,500
20-Jul XTERRA Beaver Creek # GOLD Beaver Creek, CO, USA 51 $15,000
21-Jul XTERRA Italy - Scanno * GOLD Abruzzo 51 $15,000
3-Aug XTERRA Mexico # GOLD Tapalpa 51 $15,000
3-Aug XTERRA European Championship * GOLD Prachatice, Czech Republic 51 $25,000
4-Aug XTERRA Conquer the Crater Sudbury, ON, Canada 10 ^
11-Aug XTERRA Poland * Silver Krakow 26 $7,500
17-Aug XTERRA Germany * GOLD Zittau 51 $15,000
18-Aug XTERRA Canmore Alberta, Canada 15 ^
24-Aug XTERRA Sleeping Giant Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada 15 ^
25-Aug XTERRA Hawaii Island Hapuna, Big Island 25 ^
31-Aug XTERRA Dominican Republic # Silver Samana 26 $7,500
1-Sep XTERRA Luxembourg * Silver Rosport 26 $7,500
14-Sep XTERRA Netherlands * Silver Ameland Island 26 $7,500
14-Sep XTERRA Pan Am / USA Championship # GOLD Ogden, Utah, USA 51 $20,000
15-Sep XTERRA Japan * Silver Marunuma 26 $7,500
22-Sep XTERRA China + GOLD Kunming 51 $25,000
22-Sep XTERRA XTERRA Altifort (Long Distance) Megeve, France 18 TBD
27-Sep XTERRA Korea Wonju City 2 ^
28-Oct XTERRA World Championship Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii   $100,000