Athletes gear up for Quattro ROAG Series return

MOUNTAIN bikers and trail runners can shake off the lockdown-induced cobwebs and hit the trails once again as the Sappi Scottburgh Virtual MTB and Trail Running event kicks off this weekend.

The Quattro ROAG Series came to a temporary halt in March after two of the 10 scheduled events for 2020 but the popular KZN-based will restart with a virtual event from Friday, 28 August to Sunday, 30 August.

ROAG, the series organisers, are still finalising details with the race directors for the remaining seven events but riders and runners will be able to enjoy the pleasure of taking part in an organised competition virtually with no head-to-head racing.

The organisers of the Scottburgh event have negotiated with local land owners and will open up some of the trails for the extended weekend, although the routes are still in their raw, unprepared state. This means that runners and riders can run and ride on the same trails they would normally be racing on, but, as with most virtual events, competitors can also take part on any trail that suits them at any venue.

The only requirement for the Sappi Scottburgh Virtual race is that riders and runners must compete on an off-road route and must obey all Covid-19 lockdown rules.

“We are determined to complete the series in 2020 for a variety of reasons, not least of all because we want to send out a positive message to the cycling and trail running communities that Covid-19 will not beat us.

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“We also owe it to help the event and series sponsors, as well as the race organisers who put so much time and effort into planning their events. We also believe it is important for riders and runners to have an incentive to train in these tough times,” said ROAG’s managing director, Nicole Talbot.

There will be a R50 entry fee for the Sappi Scottburgh Virtual race. A portion of the fee being donated to the Cycling 4 Mobility charity, an official beneficiary of the event.Although there will not be an official results list and prizegiving, all competitors at the Sappi Scottburgh will earn points toward their ROAG Series points.

Stuart Marais is the current leader of the mountain bike section of the series with 200 points after he won the Wartburg and Kamberg races earlier this year. Andrew Hill, with two second places, is second.

Christie Hearder, with a win and a second to Frances Janse van Rensburg at Kamberg, leads the women’s log.

In the trail running competition, two points-place finishes have Carel le Roux in a narrow lead over the respective winners of the opening two events, Linda Zondi and Nkosingiphile Ntshalinyshali.

Sarah Gray, with two wins from two, leads the women’s trail running log.

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