Racing seasons are funny things. You plan your events, you structure your training, and it all seems so far away – so distant. Then all of a sudden it’s full noise and you’re off and racing. The European Marathon season arguably starts with the Rocky Mountain Marathon in Riva del Garda, but by late June the calender is maxed out. And this goes for Australia too. Although it seems like Australia doesn’t follow a real season, there are plenty of quality races on the horizon. Here is a list of what’s in store, from this coming weekend.
The party gets started on Friday afternoon in Geising, with a Prologue and the Mad Rockz Party. As told by the Sprocket Scientist “The whole town is behind the event. If you like bike racing you should go. If you like Drum’n’bass, then you have to go.” Saturday has an Enduro or Marathon option, again from Geising. Sunday sees another Marathon on offer, this time from Altenburg. You can be sure the Madmission crew will have the decks out all weekend long.
This is a little different for a European race. But the Rocky Trail crew from Australia are putting together an ‘Australian Style’ 8 hour Enduro, in Gnas, Austria on Saturday 25th June. Austrians love a hard mountain bike race. It’s an excuse to race hard, and put the beer tents up. How will they go adopting the popular Australian format?
This one is the real deal. The World Championships for Marathon Mountain Bike Racing are typically tied to events that are already well proven. This year is no different, as the race is taking place on Sunday with the Gunn Rita Marathon in Montello, Italy. The list of entrants for mens and womens is available online, and it shows the value various federations put in the Marathon World Championships. Riders must be nominated by their National Federation. Switzerland has 15 riders. Germany has about the same. Italy has 21. France has two. But with Absalon and Dietsch, do they need more? Australia has no one racing. With no real finanncial support available, that’s fair. But what value in the race do other big countries see, that MTBA doesn’t?
KitzAlpBike Festival
This is a Festival that has something for everyone. It kicks off on Wednesday 29th of June with a mass start Hill Climb Time Trial. Austrians love these things! Rigid forks, slick tyres, uber-light bikes – and lift tickets back down the hill. But it doesn’t stop there. On Thursday there is a Trials and Fashion show. An odd combination, but it works. Friday brings the Dorf-Kriterium. Mountain Bike crits in town centres are a sure fire way to get the race vibe going. Saturday has a multitude of climbing heavy Marathon distances, choose your poison. The new Ultra distance, with over 4000m climbing in under 100km is more than likely the course that will be used for the 2013 XCM World Championships. If you still have the legs, line up for the UCI C2 ranked XCO race on Sunday.
This is a new one, using the newly linked up trail network around the Sella group in the Dolomites. This is one of the most beautiful mountain regions in the world. It has long been a road cycling goldmine, so the extensive trail network now on offer is a gift for mountain bikers. On 2nd July, you can choose the 50km or 82km version – either way you have a lot of climbing. MarathonMTB.com racers Hans Dielacher and Craig McKeown will be testing their form there before attacking the Craft Bike TransAlp powered by Nissan. Wish them well!
“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” Don’t worry Dorothy. It’s probably just the bears you need to worry about, and maybe the mountain lions. This Stage Race in British Columbia runs from the 2nd – 9th of June, and is singletrack heavy. Bring your bike handling skills, and your team dynamics. Two person teams can implode in stage races – choose your partner wisely! 2012 registration is open, by the way.
Held on 4th July, this is a favourite in the Mountain States in the US. In 2011 it is no longer their Marathon National Championships. This is later in the season, in Bend, Oregon. Surely US riders would be on ‘cross bikes by then? Held in Breckenridge, the Firecracker 50 will favour those with good hematocrit, or a local postal address. Breck is high. This race is big enough to have a waiting list. if you’re planning on going, you’re probably entered. If this hasn’t been on your radar, make sure it’s there for 2012. Breckenridge trails are reason enough to travel. Hopefully MarathonMTB.com will get a race report from Justins Nutbutter racers Mike Hogan or Thomas Dooley.
Another classic. It runs on a fairly set route that changes direction each year. There are two options that hover around the 60km and 120km mark, and various starting blocks. This event dwarfs the town of Villabassa, and resets what you can imagine a mountain bike marathon can be. Storming out of town surrounded by the sports elite, AC/DC blaring, tyres buzzing, not a word said, and with helicopters overhead is a truly amazing experience. Feedzones have bars, gels and regional cuisine. Locals are vocal and the trails are fast. This is the last stop for Hans and Craig before TransAlp. A great last leg opener.
Once you have heard about it, this one is infamous. There is a whole festival with this race that attracts about 4000 mountain bike racers. Distance options are vast: 27, 37 54, 72, 119 or 211km. The routes are around the Salzkammergut-Dachstein region. MarathonMTB.com will be there and racing with Mike Blewitt attempting the 119km, and Vaughan Caseley giving it a crack as part of his build up for the Montafon M3 later in the month.
Craft Bike TransAlp powered by Nissan
The original and the best? Such conclusions don’t take all the variables into account. This event is an experience. Traveling across the Alps is a journey that has been undertaken by armies, dictators, refugees, smugglers, pilgrims, traders and now bike racers. These eight days will break you down, but you will come back stronger. MarathonMTB.com will be well represented with top 25 rider Will Hayter teaming up with Lio Richardson in open mens. Hans Dielacher and Craig McKeown will find out if they can climb to the top step of the Super Masters podium. Check back daily from 16th July, to see their progress.
Europe doesn’t stick to a standard length for Marathons. Event organisers don’t struggle to get the distance to 100km, or cut it back to it. Instead, you usually get some shorter and longer options. The SBM is spread over two days, but the prime event is on Sunday 24th July, 107km with 4400m of climbing. But it’s not just a Euro-fest – Nick Both placed well inside the top 20 here in 2008. Put it on the agenda, it’s a cracker.
Stage Racing is an efficient way to use your holidays. It will take you to new places, challenge you physically and mentally, and usually keep you fed and watered. The Sudety Challenge is a fantastic way to experience Eastern Europe, especially the border regions between the Czech Republic and Poland. After the Prologue, the next 5 stages take you through picturesque towns, rooted and rocky forest, backwoods ski areas and into some quiet towns that you didn’t think existed anymore. And there’s usually beer on tap next to the bikewash. MarathonMTB.com have a two man team entered: Mike Blewitt and…?
This is only the third year for the event, but it is amazingly well run and supported by the Voralberg region. There are three distances available, but as MarathonMTB.com Elite rider Graeme Arnott says: “But you have to do the long one”. And that he did in 2009, placing 13th in the inaugural 155km slog. Team mate Mike Blewitt carried the torch in 2010, and managed a 6th on the shortened 145km course. With Vaughan Caseley and Will Hayter both slated to start for 2011, can one of them crack the top 5?
This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are more Marathons occuring in Germany, Switzerland and Austria in this time. Not to mention Polands Powerade Marathon season. Australia has the Singletrack Mind round in Canberra, and Poland also has the challenging Beskidy Trophy. Check our calender for links to more events. Email us on marathonmtb@marathonmtb.com if you think a great event is missing.
You can’t do them all. But you can make note of them for years to come.