The Golovane X-Plore MTB race on Sunday, February 7th, provides Sani 2 C riders with a perfect opportunity to test themselves, their equipment and, probably most importantly, their teammates.

A one-day, two-man team event, the X-Plore is an 85km ride that takes place almost exactly a month before Sani, giving riders a perfect chance to test themselves and their equipment and still have enough time to make changes.

The race course includes a combination of climbing, single track, Jeep track, district road and cane break riding (just like Sani!) on the superbly manicured routes of of Holla Trails … this race is an event no Sani 2 C entrant should miss.

Bikers, starved of racing over the Christmas and New Year period, will be able to test their festive season training in early February at an exciting new event, the Golovane X-plore, the first marathon event for 2010.

The testing 85km event, which takes place over the farmlands inland of Ballito on February 7, has over 2 000m of ascent and has been put together specifically as a pre-Sani2C and pre-Epic ride for teams of two to test their fitness and teamwork.

The distance and timing is perfect as a last long ride before Sani2C competitors ease off from training, while the self-contained, adventure-type concept is perfect for riders to test and fine-tune their teamwork.

"If it is a hot day the temperature may reach 40 degrees, which means riders must be prepared and carry enough water to ride 40km. There will be two basic water points (self-service water and a shop) along the route and obviously will provide full medical backup and safety services."

It is compulsory for all competitors to carry a cell phone with the race emergency number saved and hydration for at least 40km.

A unique feature of the race will be an open starting time. The course will open at 6:00am and riders can choose their own start time until 7:00am. The early start will allow riders to beat the heat and with some riders expected to take over seven hours to cover the 85km they will be thankful for the early start.

The race will start and finish at the Holla Trails, the same venue as the 50km Golovane MTB Race in July, and riders will go inland to the Glendale Escarpment, a favourite training area for riders taking part in the Sani2C and Epic stage races.