MAIN sponsor of last year’s Bell Big 5 Mountain Bike Series, Bell Equipment, has announced its commitment to this year’s event.
The Bell Big 5 is an exciting five-race challenge that takes riders through some of the most picturesque and rugged areas of rural Zululand, including farmlands, sand forests and indigenous bush, often including scenic single-track sections.
The company has a strong association with mountain biking, having launched the country’s first sponsored ladies team in 2008.
Bell continued to sponsor youth rider Hayley Smith, who achieved her SA colours in 2013.
Each race is geared to accommodate all ages and fitness levels, featuring a 10km, 25km and 50km ride for all age groups.
The first race is the Zini River Estate Buffalo Classic this Sunday.
The new track has been laid out by Frank Uzell and, while some of the tried and tested sections are still there, riders will see even more of what Zini has to offer.
The 50km challenge will start at 8.30am and the entry fee is R165 per rider.
The popular 25km race will set off at 9am with an entry fee of R135.
The two 10km races, numbers of which have grown in leaps and bounds, will see the riders leave the Country Club at 9.30am (R70 per rider), while the timed event starts at 9.35am at a cost of R60 per rider.
Register on line with www.roag.co.za to be seeded in a batch or at the Mtunzini Country Club on Saturday from 11am to 3pm. Unseeded entries will be accepted on Sunday from 5.30am to 8am.
The first 500 riders through registration on race day will receive a goodie bag and T-shirt.
Further information is available from Percy Langa on 082 7072964 or Seonaid Beningsfield on 082 4526372.
Those wishing to enter all or any individual races online can do so on the website www.roag.co.za.
Programme
The next race, the Richards Bay Elephant MTB Classic, will be on Sunday, 7 June.
This will be followed by the KwaMbonambi Lion (19 July), Monzi Hippo Challenge (6 September) and the Hluhluwe Super Spar Rhino Charge (20 September).
The series prize-giving will be held on Saturday, 17 October.
Visit www.big5mtb.co.za for more information.
