The best choice for accommodation, right in the heart of the MTB

19-21 May 2016
The ultimate MTB experience –
powered by Beachcomber
Mauritius is a small
island set in the enticing
tropical zone of the
Southwest Indian Ocean. Its
beautiful beaches and lagoons, lush
interior, cosmopolitan and friendly population as well as its stunning
landscapes seduce those visitors who sooner or later decide to
return to the island.
Connected daily to Europe, Asia and Africa by several airlines, this
modern and safe country boasts of a diversified economy based
partly on tourism – for which it has built a worldwide reputation.
The Mauritius Tour Beachcomber (MTB) is a unique mountain bike
stage race by the leading Mauritian hospitality group, Beachcomber,
and its expert partners. It creates an unparalleled opportunity to
get the best vibes of Mauritius while riding across wild and very
varied terrain, from mountains, forests, sugar cane and tea fields to
beaches and atop cliffs.
From 19 to 21 May 2016, expert mountain bikers and nature lovers
alike will be able to enjoy a real sports challenge in rarely accessible
spots of Mauritius, as well as an attractive accommodation offer in
a 5-star beach resort.
Thanks to MTB, Beachcomber hotels is adding a new challenge-andfun packed event to its offering in sports and ecotourism. Our team
has successfully organised the first two editions of the Ultra Trail
Raidlight Beachcomber (UTRB) in 2014 and 2015, which attracted
leading global and regional champions in trail running. This expertise
is the foundation for putting up a new edition of the UTRB in 2016
and to organize a first, adrenaline-packed edition of the MTB – with
partners specialized in mountain biking for preparing the courses
and for technical supervision.
Shandrani Resort & Spa
The best choice for accommodation,
right in the heart of the MTB
The Shandrani Resort & Spa is the place for start and finish for
almost all the stages of the MTB 2016. It will also host the briefing,
the delivery of race numbers, the pre-race and post-race technical
support, as well as shuttle service for the competitors. The terrain
around, with tracks of stone, earth and sand, as well as the
surrounding fields all represent an ideal ground for warm-ups and
for the last training sessions before D-Day. And why not go there
for beautiful biking outings with family and friends before or after
the MTB?
The Shandrani Resort & Spa is therefore the ideal choice for
accommodation during the MTB and, more generally, for the actionpacked holidays, as the resort offers a choice of outdoors activities,
including a “pitch-and-putt” golf course, a sail club, a diving center as
well as a kids club, as close to nature as you can get.
This elegant 5-star hotel is situated on a private and protected
peninsula adjacent to a marine park and a few minutes away by
boat from the natural sanctuary of the Ile Aux Aigrettes. The resort
boasts pristine beaches that lead to lagoons of your choice – calm
ones or a more spectacular creek.
Beachcomber has a special package for MTB participants
and their relatives. Discover it on the following link :
www.beachcomber-events.com
www.beachcomber-events.com
Stage 1 – 80km
(Paradis – Chamarel – Shandrani)
Thursday, 19 May 2016
A mind-blowing stage that will lead the participants from the foot of the spectacular mountain of Le Morne, in the Southwest of Mauritius,
to the Southeast beaches. At the end of this 80km race, the bikers will have crossed some of the wildest parts of the island, going through
tropical forests, mountainsides, tea and sugarcane fields and atop cliffs overlooking the Indian ocean. With 1,600 metres of ascent and as much
downhill, it will be the hardest and the most technical stage of MTB 2016, with several portions of uphill that could require carrying the bike.
Specifications
© Sandrine Riedinger Rivet
Distance : 80km
Type of paths : Asphalt on the first part; ground
or mud in fields depending of the weather; grass,
roots, stones and mud in forest; grass, sand and
stones on the coast.
Elevation difference (ascent): 1 600m
Max slope: 28%
Technical rating: 5/5
Scenery rating: 5/5
© Sandrine Riedinger Rivet
© Sandrine Riedinger Rivet
© Sandrine Riedinger Rivet
www.beachcomber-events.com
Stage 2 – 40km
(Shandrani – Nouvelle France – Shandrani)
Friday, 20 May 2016 (morning)
Specifications
Distance : 40km
Type of paths : Stones and dirt
tracks in the sugar cane fields;
grass, sand and stones on the coast.
Elevation difference (ascent): 385m
Max slope: 14%
Technical rating: 3/5
Scenery rating: 4/5
Stage 3 – 24km
(Shandrani – Le Bouchon – Shandrani)
Friday, 20 May 2016 (evening)
A night race in a festive atmosphere. Over the four laps of a 6km loop, the competitors
will ride across fields and single tracks near the sea and around the Shandrani,
as well as the grounds of the hotel itself.
© Sandrine Riedinger Rivet
After the very hilly stage of the day before,
the competitors will enjoy greater average
speed on a less difficult track - but one that
will still be sensation-rich with magnificent
views. From the start at the Shandrani hotel,
the route winds along the coast and then
follows the gentle slopes that almost lead
to the center of the island. The ride back to
the beaches and the hotel is a speedy and
spectacular one.
Specifications
Distance (total of 4 laps): 24km
Type of paths: Stones and dirt tracks in the sugar cane
fields; grass, sand and stones on the coast.
Elevation difference (ascent): 200m (total on 4 laps)
Max slope: 10%
Technical rating: 2/5
Scenery rating: 4/5
www.beachcomber-events.com
Stage 4 – 55km
(Shandrani – Etoile – Shandrani)
Saturday, 21 May 2016
This last stage of MTB2016 is without doubt the hardest after stage one. The mountain
bikers will ride in breathtaking natural surroundings, some of which still bear the marks
of the island’s French colonisation during the 18th century. Competitors will start from
Shandrani hotel and then follow a route that takes them in the tropical forest of Ferney,
on the difficult slopes of Camisard, the fields of Sans-Souci and the pavements of the
old Chemin Français. The varied terrain, the tough uphills and downhills as well as the
distance and marvelous landscapes all make a grand finale of this ultimate stage, with
participants crossing the finish line at Shandrani hotel in a typical Mauritian ambiance.
© Sandrine Riedinger Rivet
Specifications
Distance : 55km
Type of paths: Rocky paths with dirt or mud in fields depending on the weather; grass,
roots, stones and mud in forest; concreted paths; portion of rocky pavement; grass,
sand and rocks along the coast.
Elevation difference (ascent): 795m
Max slope: 23%
Technical rating: 4/5
Scenery rating: 5/5
5-star supplies
and clean bikes
The organisers have also planned for basic technical maintenance after
each stage: bikes will be washed, tuned and lubricated. Assistance for
repairs will also be proposed, against payment for spare parts if they
are expensive. After the last stage, the bikes will again be cleaned, for
more convenient packing up by the visiting participants.
The 5-star Beachcomber expertise
A pioneer and a leader in Mauritian hospitality, Beachcomber possesses and manages several 4-star+ to 6-star establishments: eight luxury
hotels in Mauritius, a high-end resort on an island in Seychelles as well as a prestigious establishment in Morocco, the Royal Palm Marrakech.
Beachcomber brings to the MTB its expertise of high-end services and organisation in several fields, among which accommodation, catering
and events management, as well as coordination with expert partners in the field of mountain bike competition.
www.beachcomber-events.com
© Sandrine Riedinger Rivet
MTB 2015 participants will be pampered, and so will their bikes. The
bikers will enjoy 5-star supply at feed zones as well as massages at
the finish and a grand finale evening at Shandrani hotel on Saturday
21 May.