Subaru Centurion Gravel Shaker & Liqui Moly MTB Challenge: 2023

 Subaru Centurion Gravel Shaker & Liqui Moly MTB Challenge: 2023

 Presented by Centurion Club and hosted by Sondela Nature Reserve & Spa

 2023 marks the 2nd edition of Centurion Cycling Club’s annual Gravel and MTB weekend at Sondela Nature Reserve and Spa. With Sondela as start and finish venue and routes that venture out into the wide Limpopo Province plains with various route choices, this weekend not only provides for competitive racing for the racing snakes, but also really enjoyable riding for all other levels of cyclists. The Sondela Nature Reserve and Spa offers the ideal opportunity to spoil your family with a weekend away while sharing your passion for this beautiful sport of cycling.

The Sondela Entertainment Village with restaurants and swimming pools is always a winner after each race and you can be sure that the vibe will be alive with anticipation at the prize giving ceremony! All of this is packaged in a weekend with one of the fastest and most enjoyable races on the calendar.

This year a new challenge was added to the Gravel Shaker event on Saturday 20 May 2023 by the race organisers. A 100-miler (160km) was added to test the toughest of the tough! Then, as an added bonus, they were approached by Gauteng North Cycling to add a Regional Gravel Championships for Gauteng North riders as part of the gravel event on Saturday.

The MTB Challenge on Sunday 21 May 2023 offers a choice between a 40km and 20km route on the carefully manicured routes inside the Sondela Nature Reserve and Spa.

There will also be a Kiddies Ride on Saturday and Sunday to entertain the young ones.

 

SUBARU CENTURION GRAVEL SHAKER: 20 MAY 2023

The Gravel Race on Saturday 20 May 2023 sponsored by Subaru Centurion is ideal for gravel and mountain bikes. The 2023 edition also sees the addition of an exciting 160km (100-miler) event. You can therefore choose between a 160km, 110km, 50km or 30km route to suit your level of cycling. All four routes start and finish inside the Sondela Nature Reserve at the Reception area. The route exits and returns to the Reserve via a side gate. From here you will venture into the wide and open plains on gravel roads where very few cyclists have ridden before! With the wind in your face and the gravel grinding under your wheels, you will leave all your troubles behind and revel in the pleasures of being out in nature for a few hours.

You can enter in your age category to race against your own age group and in the distance that is specified for your age category. Alternatively, if you want to ride with your mates or family, or if you want ride a distance other than what is allowed for your age category group, you can enter in the Open Category.

We strongly recommend that only experienced riders enter for the 160km and 110km races. The routes are flat, but demanding and should not be underestimated.

 

WATERPOINTS:

160km – 5 waterpoints

110 km – 4 waterpoints

50 km – 1 waterpoint

30 km – no waterpoint

 

 

GAUTENG NORTH GRAVEL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 20 MAY 2023

As mentioned above, this event will also act as the first ever Gauteng North Gravel Championships for cyclists that are based in the Gauteng North Region.

To compete in the Championships, you must at least have Cycling South Africa Membership and/or a Domestic Racing License (no Day license allowed), reside in the Gauteng North Cycling demarcated region (covering the Pretoria area from Centurion in the south, Akasia in the west, Hammanskraal in the North and Bronkhorstspruit in the East) and have your CSA license taken out accordingly, and you must enter in your relevant age category for the distance as specified in the table below (please do not enter in the Open Category).

When entering on the MyActive entry portal, be sure to tick the box to indicate that you want to participate in the Championships.

The racing categories for the Championships: See PDF attachment

 

 

PRIZE GIVING CEREMONIES FOR SATURDAY, 20 MAY 2023

 

There will be two prize giving ceremonies after every race – one to present the medals for the Gauteng North Championships and one to present prize money/trophies for the Open race.

 

 

LIQUI MOLY MTB CHALLENGE – 21 MAY 2023

 The MTB Challenge on Sunday 21 May 2023 starts inside Sondela Nature Reserve at the Entertainment village. The routes (40km and 20km) are both inside the Sondela Nature Reserve and consist mostly of flowing single track with some jeep track that promises to be fast and exhilarating.

Start groups:

40km 20km
Open Men Open Men
Open Ladies Open Ladies
E-bike E-bike

 

 ENTRY INFORMATION

Online entries (www.myactive.co.za) close on 15 May 2023 at 08:00

Gravel Race 

Date: 20 May 2023

Province: Limpopo

Venue: Sondela Nature Reserve, 11km from Bela Bela, towards Settlers

Distances: 160km (R500-00); 110km (R350-00); 50km (R250-00); 30km (R110-00),

Kiddies Ride 1km gravel/dirt road (R50-00 – pay at registration)

Starting Time: 07:00

Timing: SS Timing

 

MTB Race 

Date: 21 May 2023

Province: Limpopo

Venue: Sondela Nature Reserve, 11km from Bela Bela, towards Settlers

Distances: 40km (R250-00); 20km (R190-00)

Kiddies Ride 1km gravel/dirt road (R50-00 – pay at registration)

Starting Time: 08:00

Timing: SS Timing

 

You will be required to show proof of your 2023 CyclingSA Membership. 

If you have not applied for CyclingSA Membership, you will be required to purchase a day license for R50.

 

For more information contact Hermien van Zyl (hermienvz@gmail.com) or 083 791 7740.

For information about accommodation contact Sondela 014-736 8800 / www.sondela.com or Bela Bela Tourism 014-736 3694.