Dr. Evil Classic 2018 entries now open
“One of the best mountain bike events I have ridden in my 26 years of competing.” 2017 competitor – Sean Badenhorst – Editor of Tread Magazine Online.
There’s a reason Plettenberg Bay is called the Riviera of South Africa. It’s where many South Africans and international pleasure seekers choose to head to when there’s break in their busy schedules.
‘Plett’ has some of the country’s finest beaches, indigenous forests and a picturesque coastline. It has also developed a growing food and wine culture for the discerning. Oh and more recently, it’s become a great place to ride a mountain bike.
The discerning mountain biker is looking for an event that they can afford – BUT that also has world-class routes and where event owners pay attention to detail when it comes to race villages and goody bags. In 2017 the Dr. Evil Classic came into it’s own. Riders were extremely complimentary about the experience they had over the three days in the Plettenberg Bay area.
Since the entries have opened on the 23rd November 2017 there has been an unprecedented number of riders committing to the event. Event owners – Leon Evans (aka Dr. Evil) and Zandile Meneses have agreed that the event will only take 300 riders in 2018 in order to maintain it’s unique character.
Leon Evans explained: “We have to new magnificent event venues and routes this year.”
The new venues include The Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve for registration and stage One on Thursday 20th September 2018.
The Reserve is one of the very small numbers of safari camps on the Southern Cape coastline, with tracks exploring the reserve and with views you only seen on postcards, this stage is designed around the transitional cyclist looking for an adventure.
Kurland Hotel & Polo Estate is your new venue for Stage Two on Friday 21st September 2018. It is the perfect marriage of old world charm enhanced by modern sophistication, as you will experience first-hand – an unforgettable day of mountain biking on the 700-hectare private Estate of incredible natural beauty. The estate is situated between the mountains and the pristine beaches of Nature’s Valley.
Stage 3 takes place on Cairnbrogie Dairy Farm that forms part of the Robberg Coastal Corridor and 2017 participants will tell you how beautiful the route views are over the cliffs on to the Indian Ocean.
The 2018 Dr. Evil Classic finishes the day before the extremely popular Lions Karoo to Coast, which takes place on Sunday 23rd September. Dr. Evil riders who also tackle the Karoo to Coast, get an automatic 2nd start group (out of seven starts) in the Karoo to Coast.
“It’s widely known that South Africa is the mountain bike stage race capital of the world, but – with the huge number of stage races (there are at least 70 a year), especially the three-day duration events, there’s a risk of stagnation. With the Dr. Evil Classic, we have purposefully changed our format to ensure our participants feel, hear, see, taste or smell something new every day,” said Zandile Meneses, Event Director.
What are the distances? Day 1 – around 70km, Day 2 – 40km, Day 3 – 50km. For more insight into stages, the event or to enter, head to www.drevilclassic.co.za
Please email Zandile@karootocoast.com for great EARLY BIRD entry discounts or a payment plan to suit your pocket.