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Attakwas Extreme MTB Race Postponed to August 2021

Momentum Medical Scheme, Biogen and Dryland Event Management have taken the decision to postpone the 2021 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen. Given the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in the Garden Route in general, and Oudtshoorn in particular, staging an event of this size would not be responsible. After careful consideration to the possibility of staging a series of reduced capacity races under the event’s banner it was determined that doing so would not align with the ethics by which Dryland and the event sponsors conduct their businesses.

“The upsurge in Covid-19 cases in our area in recent weeks, and the move to localised restrictions to combat the spread of the virus, contributed to making it impossible to stage the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen in January 2021” Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management noted. “We were working towards hosting a safe and successful event, in accordance with Cycling South Africa and the national government’s directives, but the decision was effectively taken out of our hands by the increased restrictions the Garden Route has now been placed under. I’m sure everyone who had entered the sold-out 2021 edition share our disappointment but also understand that we cannot host an event in contradiction with government regulations.”

“Health comes first” added Carel Bosman, Momentum Medical Scheme’s Lead Sponsorships and Events. “I share the disappointment of my fellow mountain bikers. The decision was really hard and heart-breaking. We had so much hope for the start of the year; we explored every option at our disposal, looking for ways to host the event and restructure it to adhere to the new regulations. Sadly, the only viable option was to postpone the race; as it is important that we all do our bit to limit the spread of the Corona Virus. Hosting the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen is not currently a responsible course of action. We, as healthy people, need to make decisions which help keep the more vulnerable members of our society safe.”

Dryland Event Management, Momentum Medical Scheme and Biogen have had to take the difficult decision to postpone the 2021 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen to August 2021. Photo by ZC Marketing Consulting.

“Biogen fully supports the decision to postpone the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen” said Brandon Fairweather, the General Manager of Biogen. “That said we also share in the disappointment of the riders. We will however be working with Momentum Medical Scheme and Dryland Event Management to ensure that the postponed 2021 edition of the Attakwas is a fitting celebration of the Klein Karoo and extreme mountain biking.”

To that end the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen will be rescheduled to August 2021. “The new date sets up the race as the perfect tune-up for the postponed Absa Cape Epic” Rademeyer pointed out. “Taking place about two months from the Epic it will be the ideal test of form and training for local and international mountain bikers alike.”

“I would also like to reiterate that the postponement only affects the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme and Attakwas Half presented by Biogen” Rademeyer highlighted. “The rest of Dryland’s events should proceed as scheduled. The Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek presented by Biogen in particular is still on for 4 to 7 February. We are working closely with the Witzenberg authorities and monitoring the situation very closely. Unlike the Attakwas where thousands of people stay in hotels and bed and breakfasts in Oudtshoorn, the Tankwa Trek riders typically remain in the race village throughout the event, making it easier to create a bubble of screened individuals at the race.”

All entrants to the 2021 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen will be contacted to explain the alternatives Dryland Event Management have been able to create to offset the effect of the event’s postponement. “I’d like to thank everyone for their understanding” Rademeyer concluded. “We are acutely aware of the patience and continued support Dryland have received from the riders who were looking forward to taking part in our events this year. I can only assure them that we are planning a fantastic return for all our events which have been affected by the pandemic!”

Source: Seamus Allardice Media

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Built for: Dual Suspension Trail
Year launched: 2022