The race was hosted by New Zealand for the first time ever .
The race was held on a 25 - mile course of single track trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest , on the southern outskirts of Rotorua in central New Zealand .
The race was hosted by New Zealand for the first time ever and held on a 25 - mile course of single track trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest , on the southern outskirts of Rotorua in central New Zealand .