Scottburgh MTB Race


Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race Media Release		scottmtb1701	*12 Jul 2017*
*Embargo : None*		Written by: Dave Macleod
9th Sappi Scottburgh MTB set to raise the bar Scottburgh - Ten years after the inaugural edition of the Sappi MTB Race was cancelled due to flooding that devastated the region, the unique mid-South Coast race has grown in leaps and bounds, largely to the organisers commitment to keep it "raw and untamed" MTB riding. The Scottsburg MTB club committee has been out riding the planned route for the race on Sunday 13 August, intent on preserving as much of the 28km and 45km routes' appeal while working around the ever changing needs of the agricultural community through whose lands they ride every year. The start at Crooks Brothers will be one obvious change as the area has undergone substantial development with the expansion of the housing development. "It has taken us a while to get to where we are now, and we all agree that it is now a great route," said race director Flavio Scarpa. "Riding it now, you can see the effect of the drought on the region, and there are quite a few dusty sections, but as 2008 reminded us, this is the start of the rainy season, and with a little bit of rain the trails will compact nicely before the race." he added. Scarpa said the race organising team was determined to keep raising the bar, and had several innovative new ideas in store for the 2017 edition of the race. He confirmed that CHEP SA would provide the popular wooden palette bridge across the beach into the finish at Scottsburg's main beach. Last year Andrew Hill became the eighth winner of the men's title in as many years, and banter in the local MTB community often turns to whether the men's race will crown its first multiple winner, particularly as Tyrone White has been back in the saddle and training. The women's race has seen the opposite occurrence, as both Candice Parker Dennison and Haley Smith have netted back-to-back wins in the last four editions of the race. The race forms the third leg of the South Coast MTB Series that was started last year, with more and more riders using the event as the reason to spend the weekend in the holiday hub of Scottburgh with their families, with local hotels and B&B establishments backing deals around the race. Entries for the race on 13 August are being taken at www.roag.co.za Year Men's winner/Women's winner 2008 Cancelled due to flooding 2009 Shaun Peschl/Jacky Church 2010 Andrew Warr/Brenda Potts 2011 Nick Porteous/Bianca Haw 2012 Burry Stander/Cherise Stander 2013 Evan Van Der Spuy/Haley Smith 2014 Tyrone White/Haley Smith 2015 Brendon Davids/Candice Parker Dennison 2016 Andrew Hill/Candice Parker Dennison Date: Sunday 13 August Start/Finish Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach Distances: 08h30 - 45km Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race (Pre-entry - R170, Late Entry - R195) 08h45 - 28km Dash & Splash (Pre-entry - R130, Late Entry - R155) 09h00 - 10km Family Fun Ride (Pre-entry - R60, Late Entry - R85) Registration: Sunday 14 August (06h30-08h30) at Scottburgh Lifesaving Club clubhouse Contact: Flavio Scarpa - 084 330 6029 Entries: www.roag.co.za More info: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottburgh-Mtb-Race/221420711386243 ENDS
*Photo*	*Caption*	*Photographer*	*Click to download the hi-res pic*
	2017 Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race logo - JPEG
	Participants in last year's Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race, the third leg of the South Coast MTB Series, enjoy a welcome cool-off at one of the river crossings.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
	Scottburgh local, Candice Parker-Dennison charges onto the CHEP SA bridges on the sand at Scottburgh Main Beach en route to her victory in the women's race of the 2016 Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
	Riders charge under the N2 freeway during the 2016 Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
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