22/08/2023
ARE YOU READY!
3 Stages | 152km | 3400m Ascent
Stage 1 | 17km | 450m ascent (TT)
Stage 2 | 68km | 1600m ascent
Stage 3 | 67km | 1350m ascent
The route for the 2023 edition of the Val de Vie MTB Expedition has been finalised. The event will this year feature a more tempered route challenge compared to the previous two editions of the Cape Winelandsโ signature 3 day MTB stage race, which takes place on 6-8 October at the Pearl Valley Clubhouse inside the award winning Val de Vie Estate in Paarl.
By decreasing the distance and ascent we want to bring the event in line with our core principle of serving our rider base. The essence of the route and challenge remain the same, which means the race still presents a substantiative challenge and proper racing platform for serious riders.
Val de Vie MTB Expedition Route Director, Pieter van Wyk, believes the route for Paarlโs signature stage race is unrivalled. The race serves experienced mountain-bikers who are focussed on sustained route quality from start to finish, coupled with unequalled rider hospitality.
Van Wyk, who held the position of route director for numerous years at the Absa Cape Epic, is regarded as one of the finest trail specialists in the country.
Itโs an exceptionally well crafted 3-day stage race on a route that incorporates some of the countryโs finest mountain bike trails coupled with a world-class race village at the Pearl Valley Clubhouse which serves all 3 days.
Van Wyk and his crew are again putting in an immense amount of work with trail preparation for the Val de Vie MTB Expedition to ensure a challenging and exhilarating experience.
FNB Wines2Whales riders have the opportunity of getting their final bulk training weekend in the Val de Vie Expedition. It takes place 3 weeks prior to Wines2Whales, and the two signature stage distances and their degree of difficulty are now perfectly poised to fulfil the final mileage demands of Wines2Whales ridersโ training programmes.
STAGE COMPOSITION:
Stage 1: 17km (Time Trial) Trail | 450m ascent
Inclusions : Drakenstein Mountain Range | Val de Vie Estate
Stage 2 | 68km | 1600m ascent
Val de Vie Estate| Hawequa Forest | Wild Boar Welvanpas | Drakenstein Mountains
Stage 3 | 67km | 1350m ascent
Trail Inclusions : Val de Vie Estate| Banhoek | Helshoogte | Boschendal | Plaisir de Merle| Bethlehem | Camissa | Klipwerf | Afterburner | Inferno | Sugarbowl
For all the event info and to enter go to www.mtbexpedition.co.za