Organisers of the inaugural TransAtlas mountain bike stage race have been forced to postpone the event, which had been scheduled to take place in Morocco in September 24 to October 1 this year.
With lower-than-expected registration numbers due to growing concern about security following the Arab spring and a bomb attack in Marrakech in April this year, the event will be pushed back to a revised date in the new year.
Organisers confirmed that all competitors who had entered the 2011 race will be given full refunds. They are yet to confirm the new date for the event, which will give competitors the unique opportunity to race across the famed Atlas mountains.
The race will take in five stages, ranging from 40 to 80 kilometres. The Atlas will provide a stern test for competitors as the race works its way over the North African mountain range from Ouarzazate to Marrakech. The proposed itinerary includes:
Stage 1: Ouarzazate – Telouet
Total stage length: 73.2 km
Vertical rise: 1,280m
Vertical drop: 590m
Stage 2: Telouet – Aghbalou
Total stage length: 62.8 km
Vertical rise: 2,020m
Vertical drop: 1,350m
Stage 3: Aghbalou – Oukaïmeden
Total stage length: 37.8 km
Vertical rise: 1,815m
Vertical drop: 243m
Stage 4: Oukaïmeden – Lalla Takerkoust
Total stage length: 69.3 km
Vertical rise: 674m
Vertical drop: 2,604m
Stage 5: Lalla Takerkoust – Marrakech
Total stage length: TBC
Vertical rise: TBC
Vertical drop: TBC
For more information about the re-scheduling of the TransAtlas, visit the event website or their Facebook page.