Cancelled for 2020 - The Redback
The Redback MTB Stage Race Is Set to Go Ahead This August
Press Release / 26.06.2020
Rapid Ascent are excited to announce that the award-winning Redback MTB stage race will go ahead as planned on Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 August 2020, provided a minimum of one hundred six-stage race entries are received by July 27.
Following the recent announcement by the NT Chief Minister that the Northern Territory borders will open from July 17, and with mass gatherings in the NT set at 500 people, Rapid Ascent are eager to welcome people back to the NT and restart racing with this iconic event.
As a small events business, Rapid Ascent have ridden the pandemic on the edge of their seats and are determined to survive the storm and get our events back on the calendar.
“The opening of NT borders is fantastic news not only for Rapid Ascent Events, but for the mountain biking community, NT tourism and all associated industries,” said Rapid Ascent General Manager Sam Maffett.
“We are very confident we can preserve riders’ health and safety whilst still conducting a fantastic NT racing experience. We think The Redback provides an ideal post-COVID MTB holiday,” added Maffett.
Due to the many uncertainties of people’s travel perceptions, Rapid Ascent have nominated a requirement for a minimum 100 six-stage race entries to be received prior to July 27 for the event to go ahead. All entrants will receive a 100% refund on entry fees if numbers are not reached.
“We are committed to The Redback but we cannot accept the risk of going ahead ‘at-any-cost’ so ask riders to confirm their entries in enough time for us to make it happen. So we encourage mountain bikers and groups of mates to come out of hibernation and experience the magic of the Red Centre’s rolling single tracks.” said Maffett.
The Redback offers participants six stages over four days of mountain biking. With a 13 year history the event is returning in 2020 with a makeover including new stages, new trails, longer rides and plenty of sunshine to enthral capture riders from all over Australia.
The event is known for its easy race logistics and friendly race vibe. With all stages starting and finishing in Alice Springs, riders can book into one hotel for the duration and ride to/ from each stage without the need for rental car or support crew.
“Mountain biking definitely brings people together. You could see it after every stage where people would be comparing stories from the day's adventures out on the trails. This carries over to the pool, dinner, the airport and all the way back home,” said 2019 Ambassador and race winner, Paul Van Der Ploeg.
For more information about The Redback 2020 please visit www.TheRedback.com.au.
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