With the Western Cape mountain bike trails offering great diversity, the Sanlam MTB Invitational will include some fresh challenges when it takes place next weekend.
The two-stage event from Rhebokskloof Wine Estate near Paarl starts on November 18, with stages of 60km on the Saturday and 40km on the Sunday.
ASG operations manager Darren Herbst said they had placed much focus on tweaking the route this year to create a fresh experience for the riders.
With Paarl Mountain still the key feature of the stage, Herbst said the big change was switching the trail to go clockwise this time.
Sanlam MTB Invitational organisers ASG Events have introduced a number of interesting changes to the opening stage of the two-day race which takes place from Rhebokskloof Wine Estate near Paarl next weekend. Photo: Warren Elsom
“A lot of the climbing is now done in the first half and it has given us the opportunity to showcase a number of new features along the route.
“A total of 25 per cent of the route is single-track, most of it new. Without giving away too much, we believe it offers some of the biggest variety anywhere in the Western Cape.”
As the cyclists experience something new on the bike, Herbst said they had also worked on other aspects of the race.
“We have taken the waterpoints on the route up another notch,” he said.
“Thanks to the support of Sanlam, Rhebokskloof, SPAR Wellington and CBC Brewery, competitors can look forward to awesome snacks and even a surprise or two along the way.”
