MTN SABIE - XCM #3 driven by NISSAN

Saturday:

Sunday:

Please note all entries 20 days before online entries close are considered 'Early-Bird' and are discounted.

 For 12 years the Sabie Classic has become the benchmark Enduro Mountain Bike race by which all others are judged. Over 3000 riders will descend upon the small Lowveld town to experience South Africa’s “Mecca” of mountain biking over the two days. All of the country’s top riders who appeared for the race as SA Champs last year, will be lured by the large winning purse, the UCI points as well as the legendary challenge that Sabie possesses.

MTN, NISSAN and the organizers are ensuring that not only will the riders experience the best Mountain Biking in Africa, but their families will enjoy the whole weekend with a dedicated kids area with face painting and games as well as a race restaurant for all to fill up on. A 2km race for really small kids will guarantee that all ages are catered for... This year there are more reasons than ever for anyone who has a yearning to experience the thrill, fun and camaraderie that Sabie has always offered, bring the whole family for a weekend away and escape into the forests to experience the breathtaking scenery and mind blowing trails that is the Sabie Classic, it’s what your Mountain Bike was made for...

The Friday night registration will, as always, provide lots of entertainment for the whole family with food, music, product stalls, Xtreme Sports shop, product displays and lots to sample.

The National ULTRA Marathon #3 – Sabie is a circular loop race; it will starts at the York Timbers Sports Grounds in Sabie, Mpumalanga and finishes at the same venue. This legendary route zigzags up to the hartebeest “vlakte” plateau, where 3000 participants will pass, over the weekends racing. The race has been in existence for 4 years and has grown tremendously the riding is absolutely unique and spectacular.

• National Ultra Marathon Series #3 – Sabie is a UCI Category 2 event.
• Race Distance 110km / Race Elevation Gain 3070m

Included in the entry fee, is access for the rider and supporters that can enter the York Timbers Sports grounds free of charge. Secure parking for teams is available on the Venue. The public will park outside the designated areas.

Entries:

• Closing date for online entries is 22/02/2012 Midnight
• Closing date for Early Bird entries is 01/02/2012 Midnight

Entry Fees:

Prize Money*:

• Prize money & Points will be calculated for the UCI PRO/Elite Men in this distance only.
• PRO/Elite ladies will earn points & prize money in the usual 73km marathon distance only.
• All other categories will only be eligible for points and prize money in the usual distance.

Approximate riding times:

• 110km:  5h00min – 8 hours
• 73km:   3 – 6 hours
• 38km:  2 – 4 hours
• Cut-off Waterpoint 5 – 70km 11:00am
• 110km has a cut-off at the finish of 8hours.

Routes:

 “Ultra Marathon” – 110km (an Official UCI CAT 2 event)

The route is designed to provide extremely fit, competent riders with stamina and endurance an opportunity to compete in an ultra -marathon distance event over very mountainous terrain, with some fast, relatively technical road descents and a short section of very steep downhill single track to test their skills to the limit. The jeep tracks are twisty, often slippery many sections of narrow track which are fun to ride but can quickly catch out the unwary rider. 

Even some fit, skilled riders will find the steeper climbs and some of the rocky, rutted and sometimes slippery surfaces a challenge. Where the surfaces and descents are dangerous it is recommended that they be cautious – rather reach the finish to earn a medal a little later on the bike than hospital in an ambulance!

Even some fit riders who have not done endurance training will regret entering this route!  The altitude does reach the traditional 1900m as in previous years, the accumulative climbing will take its’ toll on legs and lungs. Pace yourself right from the start, and ensure that you eat and hydrate continuously to maintain strength and electrolyte balances.

Wet weather conditions before, and/or on the day of the race, together with heavy vehicle usage of the roads prior to the race will dictate the levels of mud and slipperiness. Ride within your limits and prevailing conditions. Smooth, red clay surfaces very quickly become slick with a only few millimetres of rain.

Although the organizers endeavour to remove dangerous rocks and cut as much of the long grass and overhanging bushes, trees, thorns and vegetation as possible before the event, weather conditions sometimes results in certain unforeseen obstacles on the route. It is the rider’s responsibility to avoid these hazards by riding carefully where required.

Cyclists who have entered the 110km Race must first follow the  YELLOW and then the RED ROUTE MARKERS after the Technical Zone! Entrants observed deviating from the official route in any way will receive a DISQUALIFICATION (DQ) result! If you have deviated from the route in anyway please inform an official at the Finish Line, which will result in a less embarrassing DID NOT FINISH (DNF) result.

 Specifics:

• Total Distance: 110 km (GPS)
• Total Ascent: 3070m (GPS)
• Forest Road: 74,8km
• Jeep Track: 26,8km
• Single Track: 8,4km

All marshals will be cleared from the course after 16h00 and all direction markers removed. The cut off at the finish line for the 110km route is 16h00.

NB! Cut-off time for back markers at the 69km mark where it splits away to follow the 38km route is 14h00 (5 hours 30 minutes) Their race numbers will be cut and riders may then return to the finish 1km away.

Refreshment Stations: 

1. At 11,5km at the turn off to Jantjiesbos, riders will pass through this point twice as it also serves as the 7^th water point on the second loop.
2. At Stables hut at 20.5km before the first single track
3. On the Bell Road at 35.5km before the start of a technical 10km climb called “Glass’sawmill climb”
4. On the Bell Road at 53km.  Riders will do a 6km loop before returning to this water point for the second time.
5. At 72km at the tech zone
6. At 84km, a repeat of the first water point, veering off up towards “Jantjiesbos”
7. At approximately 99km just before the top of the last climb, before a screaming downhill home

Ultra Marathon

Marathon

Half Marathon

MTN Ultra Marathon route description:

This route is a combination of the challenging marathon (2120m over 73km) and the half marathon (950m over 38km).  Starting off with the marathon route this course was designed for extremely fit Elite athletes with exceptional technical skill and comprises 3070m ascent over 110km.

From the York Sports Ground riders turn right onto the tar heading North for about a 1,2km of neutral zone before turning left onto a wide gravel road, and at approximately 3km the first of 5 climbs start.  This short 2km climb takes riders to a steep technical jeep track leading downhill towards the Lone Creek tar road, but relief will be short lived as the second climb of 2km awaits riders on the other side of the tar.  At the top of the climb riders commence descending towards the Sabie River.  At 12.5km riders mature in age will get a distinct feeling ofdéjà-vus, reminiscing about pain and agony in races gone by, going up the infamous Mamba switchback.

Even though it was graded late last year, recent rains have caused the Mamba to show its ugly head again.  The climb is 10.5km long with the first 3,5km boasting a 1:10 gradient.  This climb leads riders towards Stables hut where the second water point awaits.  The best male and female rider will be rewarded with the “Hotspot” titles just before the Stabes Hut at 20km into the race.

After a 1.5km contour road riders climb steadily on the old black route before a fast swoopy descent of approximately 5km. Then a few single tracks drop off onto the Bell road going eastwards towards the 3^rd water point.  Be sure to fill up here as the climb to come is a monster.  The sawmill climb is a technically challenging 10km climb, boasting a 1:5 gradient in some sections.  This climb will separate the mounties from the roadies.

At the top of this climb, after having completed 45.5km and ascended 1780m, riders are rewarded with a picturesque view of grasslands on top of the Drakensberg Mountains before commencing a 3.5 km jeep track downhill towards Bell road.  The fourth water point can be found at 53km and will be frequented again after completing a 6km loop. Some single track fun leads riders to a section of tar, and then a short climb before reaching a very challenging single track that reminds one of a downhill course. Good balance, exceptional technical riding ability and some hair on your teeth are prerequisites for successfully riding this single track.  Very good spot for a camera man!  Hee-Hee!

Then home James, but alas, after the Lover’s Lane single track riders are directed, not towards the finish, but towards the Technical Zone where the 6^th water point awaits, before setting off in the same direction as from the Start, to commence a 38km second lap.  At the 7^th water point which also served as the first on the 73km loop, riders are directed upwards towards a rocky “Jantjiesbos”.  After a technical 2km climb with a 1:10 gradient riders have 10km of picturesque views of the Sabie Valley to the South.

Then some technical single tracks before ascending again for 6km on the old Yellow recreational route passing over the Bridal Veil, Glynis and Elna Falls before reaching the last water point.  From here it is downhill home with only approximately 11km remaining.

Great News! The last part of the ultra is different from the last part of the marathon and therefore Elite riders will not have to fight their way through back markers riding the marathon. 

Directions from Johannesburg

• Take the road sign posted BOKSBURG. This will put you onto the N12.
• At WITBANK the N12 and N4 join and continue as the N4 to MACHADODORP. 
• Pass through the Toll Gate and take the R36 SCHOEMANSKLOOF ROAD, and do not turn off this road until after about 50kms when you will re-join the N4. This “alternative” route is a road with beautiful views and is preferable to staying on the N4. 
• After a short distance turn left onto the R539 sign posted SUDWALA CAVES. 
• Again, after a short distance (approx. 8kms.) turn right (still on the R539) sign posted SABIE. 
• Continue to the T junction then turn left onto the R37 and continue for approximately 30kms. 
• At the T junction turn right to SABIE (about 9 km’s). In SABIE at the T junction turn left into Main Street (R532) towards GRASKOP.
• At Old Lydenburg rd, turn left and continue on for 3km, venue will be on your right hand side. 

Online: http://maps.google.co.za/maps?JohannesburgtoSabie

Shuttle / Transport:

There are no official shuttle services on offer, public transport is available from JHB International airport, and this is the quickest way of getting to the venue. Sabie is situated about 3hours drive from Johannesburg International.

Accommodation:

Accommodation information on all available accommodation can be obtained from Tourist Information Web Site or from Tourist Reservations, Information & Packaged Tours Service Tel:  (013) 764-1177 Fax: (013) 764-3399 E-mail: info@sabie.co.za

Important Pointers

• As this event is held in the summer, the cyclist may experience hot or rainy to cool weather and should be prepared to cope with these conditions.
• The (110km) Ultra Marathon will have a total of 7 water points along the route.
• First Aid Services will be provided to the cyclists on the routes and at the finish.
• The organisers may, at their discretion, shorten, lengthen or change the course if the weather, or safety of the cyclist, deem this necessary.
• A Pasta evening is included for all participants, additional tickets are available at a extra fee for all non-participants.
• Bike wash facilities will be available at the finish area

Location of Amenities

Teams / Riders / Public Parking Location

Teams have access to the Event Venue, and setup in the teams designated area next to the finish area. Riders will park just adjacent to the race venue next to the town square, and the public at the designated public parking zones, outside the riders parking zone, just off the town square in the adjacent streets..

• Wash only                                     R20
• Wash, Polish and Lube             R40  

Nearest Hospital and Medical Information

A wide range of professional medical services are available, including:

• Ambulance           1 0177
• Sabie Hospital  (013) 764-1222
• Cave Rescue  (083) 334-3439 or  (083) 392-4395
• Dr. Mhlongo          (013) 764-2134
• Dr. Smith  (013) 764-2301

A word from the sponsors:

At STIHL, we are committed to events that appeal to outdoor enthusiasts because we believe in supporting activities that are part of our customers’ lifestyle.

With our co-sponsorship of the MTN Sabie Classic, we continue a long tradition of endorsing rugged outdoor sports events targeting not only professional sportsmen and women but the whole family. Past sponsorships have included the Non-stop Dusi Canoe Marathon and several mountain biking and outdoor events in and around South Africa

Established 85 years ago, STIHL manufactures a wide range of robust, high-quality outdoor power tools including chainsaws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, blowers, pole pruners and various cleaning solutions. Several products are available in either petrol or electric models, and a cordless range of powerful battery-operated outdoor power tools has also been launched. A countrywide network of servicing dealers ensures comprehensive backup and technical support.

We provide high-performance, long-lasting products that give great results – also in the forests of Mpumalanga. The synergy between STIHL and an event like the MTN Sabie Classic is clear.

www.stihl.co.za