The Cactus Cup isn’t just any race—it’s a proving ground for mountain bikers looking to test their endurance, technical skill, and race strategy against top competition. Held annually just North East of Phoenix, Arizona at the McDowell Mountain Regional Park, the Cactus Cup is the longest-running mountain bike stage race in the U.S., it draws a mix of seasoned pros and ambitious riders eager to make their mark.
HUNT Wheels Gravel Athlete, Hannah Shell chose this to be her first real mountain bike race back in 2023, and the 2025 edition of the race was more than just a return to the desert; it was a chance to prove that dedicated offseason training and a commitment to skill development could pay off in a big way.
Over three days, The Cactus Cup pushes riders to their limits in a range of racing; Short Track XC, Pro XC and Enduro, the racing is famous for its challenging desert terrain, fast and flowy singletrack and all of this racing is supported with a lively festival atmosphere complete with vendors, demos and live music.
We caught up with Hannah after her incredible result, to hear what she thought about the race:
In 2023, Cactus Cup marked my first real mountain bike race. I opted for only the 40-mile XC race because I was initially intimidated by the shorter track and enduro events.
In 2025 I knew I wanted to return and believed that after investing in skills coaching during the off-season, I had a good chance of competing for a podium finish.
On Saturday morning, I got off to a strong start, securing the hole shot into the single-track and feeling confident in my ability to maintain my position in the field. However, one rider overtook me, and I subsequently missed a turn at the end of the first loop, resulting in a few more positions slipping away. Despite this setback, I managed to chase back to second place.
In the short track event, I secured another second-place finish, followed by a win in the enduro race. This victory secured me the overall win for the stage race.
Winning Cactus Cup holds significant personal importance to me. It serves as a validation of my abilities and a recognition that I am not just a gravel racer that dabbles into mountain biking, but rather a member of the competitive community. I am also thrilled about how well my investment in skills coaching paid off, and am eager to continue working on my skills throughout the 2025 season.
A huge congratulations to Hannah and we can't wait to see what the season has in store for you!
