2016 Ashburton Investments NATIONAL MTB SERIES #4 Van Gaalen by ADVENDURANCE

#4Van Gaalen Race Summary

Y T E I R A V T S E G G I B “THE ” S T U N & T I U R F D E I e.co.za r o OF DR t s e n i l n o u g www.monta

Table of contents 3.

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p5-6

Race summary

p9-10

History and winners

p11-12

Route and features

p13-14

Feeding and technical zones

p17-18

Spectator zones

p23-24

Day programme

p29-30

Prize money

p31-32

Broadcast times

p33

Sponsors and partners

p34

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Warm welcome

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Warm welcome 5.

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Welcome to the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series After a successful first year in 2015 we are excited to welcome you to the second year of the Ashburton Investments National MTB series. As the proud sponsor of South Africa’s premier marathon mountain biking series, we are looking forward to continuing to bring professional cyclists and weekend warriors alike access to more of the beauty that our country offers. With diverse venues from the rolling hills of Mpumalanga to the beautiful Cape wine lands, we believe that the series holds a little something for everyone. Mountain biking is a rapidly growing sport and the profile of participants fits well within Ashburton Investments client’s lifestyle interests. Ashburton Investments is the FirstRand Group’s new generation, Africa based investment management business. Blending traditional and non-traditional investment expertise we strive to give investors access to more sources of return, broader investment capabilities and greater risk management. We believe that the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series gives us a new and exciting platform to engage with our clients, colleagues and cyclists from all walks of life. For more information about Ashburton Investments, please visit our website on www.ashburtoninvestments.com.

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The National MTB Series has grown and matured over more than a decade to include internationally acclaimed events, and some of the biggest one day events in the country making the series the biggest of its kind in the world. The fourth event in the 2016 series takes us to Van Gaalen - the ‘Big Cheese’ of mountain biking in Gauteng. This historic cheese farm, situated on the edge of the rural community of Skeerpoort has become a bit of a go-to destination for mountain bikers. Their constantly evolving MTB trails traverse much of the Magaliesberg region, combining top-quality single-track with an endless network of gravel roads. We look forward to sharing a safe and memorable experience with you here. Regards, Boshoff Grobler CEO Ashburton Investments

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Race summary 9.

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Leg Number

Ashburton Investments NATIONAL MTB SERIES #4 Van Gaalen

Venue

Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, Skeerpoort, North West, South Africa

Registration

Fri 10h00 - 13h00 / 16h00-19h00 & Sat 06h00-09h00

Date

11 June 2016

Elevation

1198m Above Sea Level

Distances

10km | 20km | 40km | 75km | 112km

Participants 2000+

Skeerpoort is a village 24 km south of Brits and 32 km northeast of Hekpoort, about 7 km southwest of the Hartebeespoort Dam. Afrikaans for ‘shaving defile’, the mountain pass from which it takes its name may have been so called by the Commando under Hendrik Potgieter because they stopped there on a Sunday to spruce up. Another explanation is that a commando under Casper Kruger purchased soap and shaving equipment from a trader to spruce up before entering Pretoria.

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In 1990 Annelies van Gaalen immigrated from one of Holland’s big cities to Skeerpoort, a small farming community in the Hartebeespoort area. Living in the peace and quiet of the countryside, she soon released that it was the ideal setting to begin making cheese like her Dutch “voorvaders”.

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History and winners 11.

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The Van Gaalen leg of the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series is owned by ADVENDURANCE. Although the Van Gaalen event was originally part of the NISSAN TrailSeeker Series introduced in 2010, in that year the event drew over a 1000 participants, which showed that people were looking for a race on their doorstep. The routes have been built over the past 7 years, however, many of the routes do not stay open year round and need to be cut open. Many hours have been spent carving single track, building bridges, cutting grass and hacking through thick vegetation. Thanks to all the 30+ land owners through which the route traverses; without your co-operation this event would not be possible. Special thanks to Erik Schipper for the use of his land and the MTB routes which he has built on the surrounding farms. Annelies van Gaalen thank you for a great venue and the hospitality you provide. The event supports local business and the local community. Ultra Marathon Year Men

2014

Lourens Luus

Time

04:48.31

Gawie Combrinck

04:46:53

Year

Men

Time

2011 2013 2015

2015 Marathon

Women

Time

Ben Melt Swanepoel 02:45:04

Karien Van Jaarsveld

03:19:33

2012

Philip Buys

02:45:30

Theresa Ralph

03:17:57

Gawie Combrinck

02:55:30

Christine J V Rensburg 03:40:43

2014

Brand Du Plessis

03:27:37

Yolandi Du Toit

04:11:07

Neil Robinson

03:13.23

Robyn De Groot

03:36:08

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2010

Bryce Munro

03:20:09

Theresa Ralph

04:04:52

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Route and features 13.

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Half-Marathon For 2016 we have turned everything on it’s head, with about 40% new trails. The start of the climb will see riders start climbing more gradually towards the first obstacle, “Concrete Collision”. A steep dual track cement climb which continues further onto dirt. After reaching the top you’ll see riders dipping down into a short downhill from here riders will turn right and not do the second climb. Here riders will be greeted with enjoyable jeep track back down to the farm lands some short singletrack sections, before heading onto the banks of the Magalies river. Reaching a bridge, riders will turn back over the river and up towards the Greek church which has never been in the half marathon before. Greeted with a long downhill and then onto brand new trails that have just been built flowing all the way crossing the Magalies river to the finish. Marathon The route is about 5km shorter than 2015 and the first obstacle the riders will face, “Concrete Collision” will come about 4km earlier. A steep dual track cement climb which continues further onto dirt. This apparent top of the climb is short lived, as just a little further on you’ll see riders dipping down into a short downhill that immediately takes you onto a very steep straight climb called “Marble Hall”. This will be the first water point. Here riders will be greeted with a cattle gate leading them down into a steep single track, with some switchbacks called the “Dagga pad”. You’ll definitely be using your brakes here, be cautious. After a couple 100m the trails starts flowing as your confidence returns you’ll want to pedal harder as you make your way down the mountain onto “Tannie Miems”. Down into natural forests, this awesome single track snakes its way down towards the riverside. Meeting up with a dirt road, you can now relax and replenish your fluids before you embark on the next thrilling section. The Ultra and Marathon have to negotiate the “Segwati Trails”, a section of never ending trails along the foot of the mountain working it’s way up and down before finally climbing straight up the highest point called “Apollo” which got it’s name as the first of two satellite climbs. After a quick descend and along “Rudy’s Trail” you’ll face the “Satellite” but turning short onto our brand new flowing trail bypassing “Jou Baas” and onto the orange Advendurance floating bridge. Salvation is short lived as you’re immediately thrown into a bush tunnel I’d like to call “The Tumble Dryer”. Riders will have some open gravel roads and drags with an occasional single track section through “Oom Piet” before heading home along “River Bends North”. Ultra Marathon The Ultra will follow the Marathon route till just before the venue where it will bypass it to go straight to “Concrete Collision”. At Segwati the route will turn right and go back down a dirt road, doing the mine before hitting some bush tunnels and heading home on a new piece for the last 4km. 14. NATIONALMTBSERIES.COM

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Tech and feed zones 17.

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KOM / QOM

11.0km

Water Point #4

74.0km

Water Point #1

19.0km

FTA #2 (Team)

74.0km

Water Point #2

31.5km

Water Point #5

88.0km

FTA #1 (Team)

31.5km

Water Point #6

107.0km

Water Point #3

54.5km

Directions to FTA Zones FTA #1: 25°52’37.8”S 27°43’28.0”E From the Venue turn right onto the R560. Travel approximately 3.0km. Turn Left travel 3.8km turn right onto the R400. Travel for 6.9km, park along the road. FTA #2: 25°47’11.6”S 27°46’11.3”E This point is less than 400m from the finish. Walk north along the dam wall, and follow signs. Access to the FTA Zones (Feed & Technical Assistance Zone) Report to registration where we will issue you with your Team Zone access card. Only teams have access to setup in the team designated area.

No support vehicle will be tolerated on the race route - severe penalties or disqualifications will follow. This event makes use of CSA / SA-MTB rules and is ultimately affiliated to the UCI.

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Rules & Regulations Feeding and technical assistance will only be allowed at these designated areas. They are clearly marked and support crews must stay out of the way of riders. A Commissaire will be on site to monitor the proceedings.

NB: FTA Zones are only for ULTRA Marathon Teams & Marathon Ladies “A” NATIONALMTBSERIES.COM

18.

Ultra marathon 1

19.

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KING OF

THE MOUNTAINS

WATERPOINT

FTA ZONE

MAJOR CLIMB

Official Mapping Partner

Official Nutrition Partner

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VIDEOGRAPHY

SPECIALIST MARKETING CONSULTING

PHOTOGRAPHY

DESIGN

SOCIAL MEDIA

CONTENT MARKETING

We are a full service digital agency specialising in content generation via professional photography, graphic design and videography services geared specifically for social media . Nowadays brands require constant design and management of marketing channels within a rapidly evolving social media landscape. Digital marketing is in our DNA and we pride ourselves in being on the cutting edge of the new media landscape.

& PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR & ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Spectator zones 23.

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Spectator Zone #1/4

6km from Venue (Ultra & Marathon) 16 & 86km into race

Spectator Zone #3

8.4km from Venue (Ultra & Marathon) 65km into race

Spectator Zone #2

11.2km from Venue (Ultra & Marathon) 30km into race

Directions to Spectator Zones SZ #1 : 25°52’37.8”S 27°43’28.0”E From the Venue turn right onto the R560. Travel approximately 3.0km. Turn Left travel 3.0km. Route will come in from the left. Please park on the left side of the road. SZ #2 : 25°51’41.7”S 27°44’32.0”E From the Venue turn right onto the R560. Travel approximately 3.0km. Turn Left travel 3.8km. Turn right onto the R400. Travel for 4.4km. Please park before the entrance to Segwati Getaways main entrance. SZ #3 : 25°48’15.9”S 27°43’18.9”E From the Venue turn right onto the R560. Travel approximately 5.8km. Turn Right travel 2.6km. Tun Right travel for 400m (park along the road) Please keep in mind that directions are from the race venue. None of the dirt roads are accessible by normal vehicles.

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Access to the Spectator Zones Supporter zones are open to the public. Please use only the directions given to get to these zones. Bring a camping chair and shade and support the participants as they make their way past. Rules & Regulations No outside assistance is allowed. No one may interfere with the race in any way. If caught assisting or feeding participants penalties will apply. Please do not at any time go onto the race route unless it’s a crossing or otherwise stated. NATIONALMTBSERIES.COM

24.

Marathon 1

25.

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1/2

Marathon

QUEEN OF

THE MOUNTAINS

WATERPOINT

FTA ZONE

Official Mapping Partner

Official Nutrition Partner

MAJOR CLIMB

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follow my rider be part of the adventure. You can now follow your rider from the comfort of your couch!

When using mySOS follow my rider, you will be able to see updates on your rider’s progress every 3 minutes (if they are within network coverage of course). So how does it work? 1. Your rider needs to use Track Me on mySOS app during the race. Location services for the rider’s phone and for the mySOS app on the phone must be on. 2. Go to www.mysos.co.za and click on Follow mySOS user. 3. Choose the race your rider is riding in. 4. Add your riders’ cell numbers (you can follow up to 5 people). 5. You will now see your rider position displayed on the course map.

Day programme 29.

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Date

Friday 10th June 2016

16:00 - 19:00

Registration & entries - Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, Skeerpoort

06:00 - 09:00

Registration & Late entries

07:30

Start Ultra Pro / Elite

07:40

Start Ultra Marathon Amateur

09:00

Start ½ Marathon Men “A”.

09:50

Start Fun Race “A”. Batches 5min

10:00 - 14:00

Registration & entries - Lynnwood Concept Cyclery, Pretoria

Date

Saturday 11th June 2016