The UCI announced a new Mountain Bike Marathon Series part way into 2011, ostensibly as a replacement to the now defunct Marathon World Cup. With a new pointscore that did not utilise XC ranking points, the series is a way to offer qualification for the Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships without going through a National Federation.
With three of four events of the 2011 Series having run so far, there was speculation amongst many Marathon Mountain Bikers as to how many events would make up the 2012 series, and would it just be suited to European based pro teams, as it seemed in 2011. With 2012 UCI race dates being released, we can now see the range of localities, seasons and dates that the new series will span.
25th February: Sabie Classic – Sabie, South Africa
7th April: Roc Laissagais – Laissac, France
10th June: Elsabiketrophy – Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland
17th June: Endurance Atenas – Atenas, Costa Rica
7-8th July: Sudtirol Dolomiti Superbike – Villabass, Italy
29th July: MTB Ucka Marathon – Lovran, Croatia
19th August: Grazer Bike-Marathon Stattegg – Statteg, Austria
26th August: MTB Jurmala Marathon – Jurmala, Latvia
8-9th September: Val di Fassa Bike – Moena, Italy
9th September: O-Tour Bike Obwalden – Obwalden, Switzerland
15-16th September: La Forestiere – Lamoura, France
It is an interesting mix, with gaps for to allow for larger sporting events in the endurance mountain bike calender. Most notably, for the ABSA Cape Epic and for the Craft-Bike TransAlp if you drop a race. At first glance, it seems only full time professionals will get to all events. However, completing all but a few rounds could be within reach for the dedicated amateur or semi-professional.
The round in South Africa could easily line up with a warm training camp, perhaps the first XC World Cup and the ABSA Cape Epic for a dedicated Marathon racer. This could prove to be an attractive choice for Northern Hemisphere based racers who are seeking to cut winter short.
Laissac, France, is in a lovely part of the world. It’s also on the Easter weekend. Geographically, it’s not an overly long drive from Marathon heart lands such as Southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Northern Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. With some holidays to build around – it’s a workable event.
At this point, you either fly to Costa Rica in June, or stay at home, go race the Riva del Garda Marathon, and go to the Elsa Bike Trophy in Switzerland. If you’re European, you may as well contest the European Championships the next weekend, further east in the Czech Republic.
The Dolomiti Superbike is a classic, and a rightful inclusion into the series. If you miss it, you’re missing out on fast racing in stunning terrain. If you’re living the dream, maybe you’re now heading off to the Craft-Bike TransAlp. Either that, or make your way to Croatia for the MTB Ucka Marathon. The two events clash – but you can’t race everything.
August gets interesting. On the 17th you hit the Grazer Bike Marathon in Austria. Plenty of climbing, some of it pretty techy, a lot of it steep, and some tech descents. A quality Marathon. Back that up with the next round in Jurmala, Latvia, or stay local for the National Park Bike Marathon in Scuol. One choice will get you ranking and frequent flyer points. The next weekend it is back to Italy or Switzerland – for either the Val di Fassa Bike in sleepy Moena, or the O=Tour in Obwalden. Check the courses – and even the dates. Maybe with a fast driver you can do both on the same weekend?
No rest yet though, now it’s time for La Forestiere in France. This is barely half a days drive from the O-tour, but a longer trip from Moena. That’s it, you’re done. It’s time to rest up and see if you have enough points for the UCI Marathon Mountain Bike World Championships on 7th October, in Ornans, France.
So plan your schedule, choose your races, and get your motorhome in order. 2012 could be a great year for top level Mountain Bike Marathons.