Sam Gaze: The Kiwi Cyclist Who Conquered Mountain Biking

Introduction

Sam Gaze is a New Zealand professional cyclist best known for winning world titles in mountain biking. His official competition name is Samuel Gaze, but cycling fans usually know him as Sam Gaze.

He has won world championships in short-track and marathon mountain biking, two Commonwealth Games gold medals and two under-23 cross-country world titles. He also represented New Zealand at the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

As of July 2026, Gaze remains an active international cyclist. His sixth-place finish at the Paris Olympics is his best Olympic result, while his world titles show that he can succeed in both fast and long-distance mountain-bike races.

Published: July 18, 2026
Last Updated: July 18, 2026
Author: NZ Beat Editorial Team

Sam Gaze Quick Facts

Information	Verified detail
Full professional name	Samuel Gaze
Common name	Sam Gaze
Date of birth	December 12, 1995
Age	30 years old as of July 2026
Birthplace	Tokoroa, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealand
Profession	Professional cyclist
Main sports	Mountain biking and road cycling
Main mountain-bike formats	XCO, XCC and XCM
Height	189 centimetres
Current team in 2026	Alpecin–Premier Tech
Olympic appearances	Rio 2016 and Paris 2024
Best Olympic result	Sixth at Paris 2024
Commonwealth Games medals	Two gold medals and one silver medal
Famous for	Mountain-bike world titles and international cycling success

Gaze’s date of birth and professional-team information are listed by his official team, while the New Zealand Olympic Team records his birthplace, height and major Games results.

Who Is Sam Gaze?

Sam Gaze is one of New Zealand’s most successful mountain-bike racers.

He competes mainly in cross-country cycling, a form of mountain biking that includes steep climbs, rough trails, sharp turns and fast descents. Riders need strength, balance, speed and the ability to make quick decisions.

Gaze is unusual because he has achieved major success in several different cycling formats. He can race short and explosive events, standard Olympic cross-country races and long-distance mountain-bike marathons.

He has also competed in professional road cycling. This wider experience has helped him develop the endurance and racing knowledge needed to perform against many of the world’s best riders.

Readers who enjoy stories about New Zealand competitors can explore more New Zealand sports personalities on NZ Beat.

Sam Gaze’s Age and Early Background

Sam Gaze was born on December 12, 1995, in Tokoroa, a town in New Zealand’s Waikato region.

He is 30 years old as of July 2026.

Gaze grew up in New Zealand and began building his cycling career through the country’s mountain-bike system. He showed international promise while he was still a young rider and soon became one of New Zealand’s strongest cross-country prospects.

His early career was not built around one sudden result. He improved through national racing, under-23 competitions and UCI World Cup events before establishing himself at senior level.

The New Zealand Olympic Team lists him as a competitor in both mountain biking and road cycling. It also records his height as 189 centimetres.

Early Cycling Career

Gaze began attracting international attention during his under-23 years.

In 2014, he won the silver medal in the men’s cross-country mountain-bike race at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He completed the race in 1 hour, 38 minutes and 29 seconds.

That result showed that he could compete successfully at a major multi-sport event while still developing as a young rider.

His biggest early breakthrough came in 2016, when he won the under-23 cross-country world title. The victory helped him earn selection for the Rio Olympic Games.

He successfully defended the under-23 world championship in 2017. Winning the title in two consecutive years showed that his first victory was not a lucky result. He had become one of the strongest young mountain bikers in the world.

Rio 2016 Olympic Experience

Sam Gaze made his Olympic debut at Rio 2016.

The men’s cross-country race did not go as planned. He did not finish and was officially placed 37th among 49 starters.

Although the result was disappointing, reaching the Olympics at a young age gave him important experience. He later returned to the Games as a more complete and experienced rider.

His journey shows that one difficult race does not have to decide an athlete’s full career. Gaze continued racing, developed his skills and achieved many of his greatest results after Rio.

The official New Zealand Olympic Team profile for Samuel Gaze records his Olympic and Commonwealth Games performances.

Historic World Cup Victory in 2018

The year 2018 became an important turning point in Gaze’s career.

In March, he won an elite UCI Mountain Bike World Cup cross-country race in Stellenbosch, South Africa. He defeated Swiss champion Nino Schurter in a close sprint to the finish.

The result made Gaze the first New Zealander to win an elite cross-country UCI Mountain Bike World Cup round.

This victory mattered because Schurter was already one of the greatest mountain bikers in the history of the sport. Beating him showed that Gaze could compete with the very best senior riders.

Commonwealth Games Gold Medals

Gaze has enjoyed major success at the Commonwealth Games.

Gold Coast 2018

He won the men’s cross-country mountain-bike gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Gaze completed the race in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 36 seconds. He finished ahead of fellow New Zealander Anton Cooper.

He also competed in the men’s road race at the same Games and finished 10th among 115 starters. Performing strongly in both events showed his ability to move between mountain and road cycling.

Birmingham 2022

Gaze successfully defended his Commonwealth Games title in Birmingham in 2022.

He won the cross-country race in 1 hour, 34 minutes and 19 seconds. The victory gave him a second consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal.

His Commonwealth Games record now includes:

• Silver at Glasgow 2014
• Gold at Gold Coast 2018
• Gold at Birmingham 2022

These results make the Commonwealth Games one of the most successful parts of his career.

Sam Gaze’s World Championship Titles

Sam Gaze reached a new level in 2022 by winning two senior world titles in very different mountain-bike formats.

2022 Short-Track World Champion

Gaze won the elite men’s cross-country short-track world championship in Les Gets, France.

Short-track racing, also called XCC, is fast and intense. The course is shorter than a normal Olympic cross-country course, and the race usually lasts around 20 minutes.

Riders must start quickly, fight for position and react immediately when another rider attacks.

2022 Marathon World Champion

Only a few weeks later, Gaze won the elite men’s cross-country marathon world championship in Haderslev, Denmark.

Mountain-bike marathon racing, known as XCM, is very different from short track. Races can cover between about 60 and 160 kilometres and may include several hours of climbing and technical riding.

The UCI’s explanation of cross-country marathon racing identifies Gaze as one of the exceptional riders who won both the XCC and XCM world titles in 2022.

Winning both titles in the same year showed his rare range. He had the speed needed for a short race and the endurance needed for a long one.

Second Short-Track World Title

Gaze retained his elite XCC world title in 2023.

He defeated France’s Victor Koretzky and Britain’s Tom Pidcock in a sprint finish. This gave him back-to-back world championships in one of mountain biking’s fastest formats.

He also won silver in the elite XCO world championship in 2023, finishing behind Pidcock.

What Are XCO, XCC and XCM?

The names of mountain-bike formats can be confusing, but the differences are simple.

XCO: Olympic Cross-Country

XCO is the standard cross-country format used at the Olympic Games.

Riders complete several laps of a course containing climbs, descents and technical sections. The race usually demands a mixture of speed, endurance and bike-handling skill.

XCC: Short Track

XCC is a shorter and faster race.

It normally lasts around 20 minutes and is held on a compact course. Riders stay close together, so small mistakes can make a major difference.

XCM: Cross-Country Marathon

XCM is a long-distance mountain-bike race.

It tests endurance, energy management, equipment choices and mental strength. Riders may spend several hours racing through difficult terrain.

Gaze’s success across all three formats is one of the clearest reasons he is considered a versatile cyclist.

Road Cycling Career

Mountain biking remains Sam Gaze’s main sport, but he has also competed on the road.

He won New Zealand national criterium titles and later joined the professional Alpecin cycling programme.

In 2023, he made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España. The Vuelta is one of professional road cycling’s three Grand Tours, alongside the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.

He did not complete the race after becoming ill, but his selection was still important. Few riders combine elite mountain-bike racing with participation in one of road cycling’s biggest events.

His road experience can help with endurance, positioning and recovery during demanding mountain-bike race weekends.

Paris 2024 Olympic Result

Sam Gaze returned to the Olympic Games at Paris 2024, eight years after his Rio debut.

This time, he produced a much stronger performance.

Gaze finished sixth in the men’s cross-country mountain-bike final. He completed the race in 1 hour, 28 minutes and 3 seconds.

The result was his best Olympic performance and placed him among the leading riders in a field of 36 finishers.

Although he did not win a medal, sixth place was a major improvement from his difficult Rio experience. It also confirmed that he could perform near the front of an Olympic race.

Sam Gaze’s 2025 and 2026 Results

Gaze continued competing internationally after the Paris Olympics.

At the 2025 Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland, he finished fifth in the elite short-track race.

He then started the elite XCO race from 67th position but moved through much of the field to finish 12th. Passing more than 50 riders showed strong form and determination.

In March 2026, Gaze partnered German rider Luca Schwarzbauer at the Cape Epic in South Africa.

The pair won three stages and finished third in the final general classification. The Cape Epic is a demanding multi-day mountain-bike race completed by teams of two.

Gaze also returned to UCI World Cup racing in 2026. His results showed that he remained an active international competitor rather than living only on his earlier achievements.

Current Team and Status in 2026

As of July 2026, Sam Gaze is an active professional cyclist connected with Alpecin–Premier Tech.

He continues to focus mainly on mountain-bike competition while using his road-racing experience to support his training and development.

His 2026 programme has included both stage racing and UCI cross-country events.

At 30, he is no longer the young newcomer who entered the Rio Olympics. He is now an experienced world champion with results across under-23, elite, Olympic, Commonwealth and professional road racing.

Why Is Sam Gaze Famous?

Sam Gaze is famous because he is one of New Zealand’s most successful mountain bikers.

His best-known achievements include:

• Two elite short-track world titles
• One elite marathon world title
• Two under-23 cross-country world titles
• Two Commonwealth Games gold medals
• One Commonwealth Games silver medal
• New Zealand’s first elite XCO World Cup victory
• Sixth place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
• A professional road-cycling career
• Participation in the Vuelta a España

His career is especially notable because he can compete successfully across several cycling formats.

Sam Gaze’s Impact on New Zealand Sport

Gaze has helped give New Zealand a stronger presence in international mountain biking.

New Zealand is widely recognised for rugby, cricket, rowing and sailing, but athletes such as Gaze have shown that the country can also produce world champions in cycling.

His career can help young riders understand that professional cycling includes more than the Tour de France. Mountain biking offers world championships, World Cups, Olympic competition and several specialist formats.

Other New Zealand athletes have followed different paths to international sport. Football fans can read about Mackenzie Barry’s journey from New Plymouth to the Football Ferns, while rugby readers may enjoy the rapid rise of Braxton Sorensen-McGee.

Interesting Facts About Sam Gaze

• His official competition name is Samuel Gaze.
• He was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand.
• He is 189 centimetres tall.
• He competes in mountain biking and road cycling.
• He won two consecutive under-23 XCO world titles.
• He won two consecutive elite XCC world titles.
• He won XCC and XCM world titles in the same year.
• He defeated Nino Schurter in a World Cup sprint in 2018.
• He has won two Commonwealth Games gold medals.
• He made his Grand Tour debut at the 2023 Vuelta a España.
• His best Olympic result is sixth place at Paris 2024.
• He won three stages of the Cape Epic with Luca Schwarzbauer in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sam Gaze?

Sam Gaze is a New Zealand professional cyclist. He is best known for winning mountain-bike world titles and representing New Zealand at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

What is Sam Gaze’s full name?

His official professional name is Samuel Gaze. He is commonly called Sam Gaze.

How old is Sam Gaze?

Sam Gaze is 30 years old as of July 2026. He was born on December 12, 1995.

Where is Sam Gaze from?

He was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand.

What is Sam Gaze famous for?

He is famous for winning elite world titles in cross-country short track and cross-country marathon mountain biking.

How many world titles has Sam Gaze won?

He has won five major individual UCI world titles: two under-23 XCO titles, two elite XCC titles and one elite XCM title.

Did Sam Gaze compete at the Olympics?

Yes. He represented New Zealand at Rio 2016 and Paris 2024.

What was Sam Gaze’s best Olympic result?

His best Olympic result is sixth place in the men’s cross-country mountain-bike race at Paris 2024.

Did Sam Gaze win a Commonwealth Games gold medal?

Yes. He won mountain-bike gold at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Does Sam Gaze race on the road?

Yes. He has competed professionally in road cycling and entered the 2023 Vuelta a España.

What team does Sam Gaze ride for?

As of 2026, he is associated with Alpecin–Premier Tech.

Is Sam Gaze still racing?

Yes. As of July 2026, he remains an active professional cyclist competing in international mountain-bike events.

Conclusion

Sam Gaze is a world-champion cyclist from Tokoroa who has built one of the strongest mountain-bike careers in New Zealand sport.

His achievements include five individual world titles across under-23 and elite competition, two Commonwealth Games gold medals and a sixth-place Olympic finish.

What makes his career different is his range. He has succeeded in short-track racing, Olympic cross-country, mountain-bike marathon events and professional road cycling.

His difficult first Olympic experience did not stop his progress. Gaze continued improving and returned eight years later to finish sixth at Paris 2024.

As of July 2026, he remains an active rider and an important figure in New Zealand cycling.