Competitor Services

EVENT PROGRAM: The window below displays the official Event Program for the 2023 Redback MTB Stage Race. This fully explains the event with confirmed schedule, course details, rules and more. All riders should read it before arriving in Alice Springs and we will give you a paper copy at registration.

Read it ONLINE HERE.

Download a PDF copy HERE.

Riders tell us that they LOVE THE REDBACK partly because they are made to feel special. It is a smaller, niche event compared to other foreign owned stage races held in Australia: we get to know your name, we chat to you at the finish line and share dinner and a beer each night!

We ride and race bikes ourselves so know what it takes to set great courses and we go the extra mile so you don’t have to. We’re also partnered with the local MTB Club to tap into their local knowledge and support their club and trail building and maintenance activities.

Here are a few of the services we provide so you have an ace time…

Easy race logistics

Ride then relax… not relocate!

All stages start within rolling distance of the Alice Springs meaning that you do not need relocate your accommodation each night or need a car or any transportation (other than your bike!) to get to and from each stage. We provide you with directions how to get there and many riders join up and ride out together as a warm up. Super friendly…

Airport Transfers

Rapid Ascent will charter buses and trailers to collect you and your bike from the airport and drop you at a variety of hotels in Alice Springs on Thursday 17th August. We’ll reverse the joruney and take yo uback to the airport on Tuesday 22nd August for departures. Riders can book onto our airport shuttle when bookings open in mid July 2023. If you are arriving on a different date you will need to make your own airport transfer arrangements – options are listed here.

Event Centre – Mercure Alice Springs Resort

An Event Centre will be set up at the official event hotel – Mercure Alice Springs Resort.

Set up and available at the Event Centre will be:

  • Printed results posted to the notice board from each stage and general classification standings for the end of each day
  • Individual start times posted to the notice board for each rider for time trial stages
  • The KRUSH bike wash station where you can give your ride some love’n every day.
  • Tables, chairs and sunshine – located right beside the restaurant where lunches, snacks and drinks are available all day

Attendance by our partnered bike shop – the Alice Springs Bicycle Center during specific times (tba).

Competitor Registration

All riders register in person between 3:00pm and 6:00pm on Thursday 17th August in the Mercure Alice Springs Resort.

At registration you will receive:

  • Number plate.
  • FREE Event Socks for competitors who have entered all 6 stages.
  • A printed copy of the event program
  • Timing Chip (must be returned after the event or a fee will be incurred)

Note: You do NOT need a MTBA license or day license to compete (although we recommend you are members of MTBA all the same). 

Competitor Briefing

All riders are strongly encouraged to attend the competitors’ briefing at 6:00pm on Thursday 17th August at the Mercure Alice Springs Resort where final updates and information on the event will be given to all competitors 

Stage Presentations

Presentations will be held for each stage at the times listed below, and provide a terrific opportunity to catch up with the riders in a friendly, social environment. We encourage all riders to attend.

  • Stage 1 and Stage 2 – Friday 6:30pm at ANZAC Hill
  • Stage 3 – Saturday 6:00pm at the Juicy Rump
  • Stage 4 – Sunday 6:15pm at the Alice Springs Golf Club immediately before the start of Stage 5
  • Stage 5 – Sunday at the finish line at Alice Springs Golf Club immediately after Stage 5
  • Stage 6 – Monday from 6:00pm with the main event presentations at Mercure Alice Springs

Additional competitor services

Clothing transport

As many stage start locations are different to the finish locations we will take your clothing from one to the other while you’re racing. Just drop your clothing off to us at the race info marquee at the start line and then collect it from the same marquee at the finish.

Bottle deposits

All water points will have water and electrolyte available for you to fill up your water bottles and drinking system bladders, but we will also transfer your water bottles to these locations so you can have your own ‘special formula’ whilst out on the track.


‘KRUSH’ BIKE WASH STATION

We will have the ultimate bike wash station, fully stocked with KRUSH Bike Wash products so you can give your ride a bit of love after each stage. The bike wash station will be located in the Event Centre and is freely available for anyone and everyone to use, with plenty of water, brushes and KRUSH‘s superb products for the duration of the event.


Alice Springs Climate Averages for August

The climate in Alice Springs for the month of August is not nearly as hot as you’d imagine and is ideally suited to mountain biking with cool mornings warming up to approximately 25 degrees in the middle of the day and then cooling off in the evenings. It is likely to feel quite cool to cold in the morning so make sure you bring a warm layer or two, but be ready to strip off as the day warms up (cycling arm and leg warmers ideal).

  • Average daily max 25 degC in the shade
  • Mean 9am temp 16 degC in the shade
  • Average night min 8.3 degC
  • Average Rainy days 3.1
  • Average Cloudy days 7.6
  • Ave sunrise 7:00 am
  • Ave Sunset 6:00 pm

Also be wary of sunburn, you will likely be outside in the sun for most of the day. There is not a lot of shade around so make sure you put sun-screen on before you head out.

Tourism Information

There is loads to do around Alice Springs beyond just riding bikes so why not plan to arrive a couple of days early and enjoy some of the sites, or hang around for a few days afterwards and race on down to Ayers Rock to take it all in.

Check out the Travel and Accommodation page to help plan your holiday.