The Avanti Plus Hellfire Cup is a new 4 day mountain bike race taking part in South East Tasmania. With 4 days and 7 stages of mountain bike racing running from January 25th – January 28th 2013, the action will be jam packed over the Australia Day Long Weekend.
Race director Duncan Giblin explains what he has created,“We wanted to create an event that promoted Tasmania as an adventure sport destination. Tasmania has adventure mountain bike events such as Wild Side in the west and Blue Dragon in the north east and in the south of Tasmania we have some amazing trails already. That’s the thing with Tasmania – the whole island is an adventure sport destination. We have already had a strong mainland contingent entering the event and what’s pleasing for me as a race director is that we are not just attracting the professionals from interstate for the large prize pool, we are also attracting your die hard adventure sport riders who are coming for the atmosphere and to ride new trails. We wanted to hold an event that presents Tassie as a great riding experience for the elite riders and guys who roll over the line last.“
Although it sounds remote, Tasmania isn’t a big place, and the race location is about an hours drive from Hobart airport. Additionally, it’s not a point to point stage race. Being based in Kellevie allows racers to stay put and recover well between stages. “The event is classified as a stage race but differs significantly from most other events of this type, having one base that competitors start and finish from each day to limit the logistic headaches for riders, support crews and families “ explains Giblin
“The event is based at Kellevie and rides into different areas of the Wielangta State Forest and surrounding areas each day, riding on private land and forestry land. The new race course has loads of tracks, forest trails, awesome descents and beautiful landscapes. The course has been designed following the old forestry and millers trails and the adventure riding stages offer a good mix of single track, forest trails and fire roads. “
“All the land managers have been great – we’ve got a real mix with private land owners, farmers and Forestry Tasmania . We’ve engaged local small business as much as possible and have great support from local community members.” Being so well engaged with the local land owners and businesses is a step that not all race organisers get right. When you look at successful races around the globe – they’re engaged with longterm links that allow the race to flourish, and give back to the communities with a great economic injection.
“The event has one of the largest podium prize pools for an event of its type in Australia. Additionally as the event reaches participant benchmarks the race director has agreed to increase the prize pool for elite General Classification winners in mixed and female pairs and age categories. “
The final day of the event culminates in a lunchtime feast, presentations and after party with local bands the Sin and Tonics, and MOFO curator and cycling advocate Brian Ritchie and friends. Elite rider trophies and awards will be presented by Mike Tomalaris from SBS Cycling Central.
Entry: $400 per rider, free camping, lunch and evening meals provided each day.
Entries cap: 500 riders.
Prize pool: over $100,000 in podium prizes, spot prizes and giveaways including a total of $15,000 for first GC elite pair.
Avanti Plus Launceston and Appleby Avanti Plus Hobart are each giving away mountain bikes as spot prizes.
Entries close December 15th 2012.
Titles attained by Elite riders entering the event includes: international Stage race title holders , national marathon title holders, world junior champions , Australian multisport champions , national xc title holders, XCO, Short course, enduro , world 24 solo hour champions, 6 Olympic representatives, Australian junior champions, national 24 hour solo champions.
Renata Bucher ( Swiz)
Jens Buder (Swiz)
Nathalie Schnietter (Swiz)
Rosarra Joseph (NZL)
Aiden Lefmann (QLD)
Anna Beck (QLD)
Jenni King (VIC)
Row Fry (TAS)
Dan McConnell (VIC)
Anton Cooper( NZL)
Bec Henderson (ACT)
Peta Mullens (VIC)
Ben Bradley (TAS)