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You are here: Home / Events / The Redback

November 23, 2014 By Mike Blewitt

The Redback

Easter in the Alice LEITA Alice Springs XCM (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith
Event WebsiteEvent Registration
Country: Australia
Event type: Stage Race
178 km
18/08/2022 - 21/08/2022
AU$595
Event Stages:
Stage 1 - (46 km)
Stage 2 - Anzac Hill CLimb (300m km)
Stage 3 - XC (47 km)
Stage 4 - Time Trial (22 km)
Stage 5 - Night Race (22 km)
Stage 6 - Mercure Alice Springs Resort race (51 km)
Closest transport: Alice Springs Alice Springs

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Alice Springs has hosted mountain bike stage races for a long time, and the Ingkerreke Commerical MTB Enduro has a new name – The Redback! The shift to 4 days in 2015 was highly popular, and Rapid Ascent have got a great winter warmer offer for mountain bikers from southern states.

LEITA Easter in the Alice XCM MTBA (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith

Mountain biking in Alice Springs has some sand – but it’s certainly not the defining feature. (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith

Mountain biking in Alice Springs is unlike riding in other parts of Australia. The trails work with the terrain, and not against it. It’s a special way of riding, managing your bike through the terrain, negotiating sharp rocks, and following trails that have often been built from animal tracks.

Mountain biking in Alice Springs is unlike riding in other parts of Australia. The trails work with the terrain, and not against it. It's a special way of riding, managing your bike through the terrain, negotiating sharp rocks, and following trails that have often been built from animal tracks.

The racing in Alice Springs is a favourite for many MarathonMTB.com riders, it’s well worth the trip.

  • 4 days and 6 stages racing
  • Event dates that run over the weekend – Friday to Monday = less time away from work and family
  • Longer stages and more diverse trails
  • Updated stages to include the best of the best trails in the region – the network is constantly growing.

What to expect at The Redback

Falling in August, The Redback is an excellent winter warmer for many southern mountain bikers. That doesn’t mean it’s hot, but the sun is warm, while the evenings are crisp. Take your summer racing gear but don’t neglect some warm clothes for the evening, and even the roll to the race start.

The Redback MTB Stage Race Alice Springs

Much of the racing is below the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges.

The format keeps the racing fresh with events like a hill climb, the individual time trial – and of course the ever-popular night race. You’re unlikely to be on the bike for more than 3hrs for any stage, so it’s not a race that is built only for ultra-endurance athletes. It’s been designed to use all the best trails in Alice, some you might know if you’ve been before, and some you might not.

The Redback MTB Stage Race Alice Springs

The night stage has always been popular, and racing on the same route as the ITT earlier in the day, plenty of people will try to better their time. Very few have done it.

The Redback has easy event logistics, as each stage starts and finishes close to town. For you, that means you won’t ned a hire car, you won’t need to pack up any gear each day, it’s just a short ride to the start or from the finish for each stage. That gives you more time to relax, unwind, and recover! Best of all the race organisers have some accommodation suggestions and packages available – check here for more details.

LEITA Easter in the Alice XCM MTBA (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith

Dawn over the ranges in Alice Springs. (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith

The true beauty of racing in Alice Springs is the ability to escape for four days and enjoy riding your mountain bike on unique trails, with like-minded people. Whether you come to vie for the podium, or just to get a buzz from the racing, you’re likely to want to come back. Do yourself a favour, and sign up for The Redback this year and see what all the fuss is about.


Related Event News:

  • Redback to hit Alice Springs this August
  • Alice Springs Essentials – Tips for racing in Australia’s Red Centre
  • ICME Enduro MTB : Stage 7 : Rocky Racing Comes To An End
  • ICME MTB Enduro : Stage 1: A Muddy Affair
  • Racing the Redback 2015: Stage 5
  • Racing the Redback 2015: Stage 6
  • Racing the Redback: Stages 1 and 2
  • Michael Milton signs up for the Redback MTB Stage Race
  • Redback ready to strike in Alice Springs
  • Racing the Redback: Stages 3 and 4
  • Bike Check: Imogen Smith’s Bianchi Methanol 29 FS

About Mike Blewitt

Mike loves all things bike, but marathons definitely hold a special place in his heart. He's the co-founder of MarathonMTB.com. He's raced extensively throughout Europe, North America and Australia and has represented Australia twice at the UCI Marathon World Championships. Get in touch with Mike via Twitter.

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