Event Overview

18-21 August 2023

The award-winning Redback gives you 6 stages and 4 days of incredible mountain biking in Australia’s Red Centre. The event is all about racing some good miles on your bike and then kicking back around the pool with new and old friends afterwards.

It’s about riding in a truly awesome location, where the tectonic lines of the MacDonnell Ranges disappear into a distant horizon, with big blue skies, rolling single track and a majestic desert on the horizon.

The event has the easiest race logistics of any multi-day race. where you stay in the one location and r4ide to / from the start / finish each day. .. no car or support crew needed!

PLUS – in 2023 we’re woking even closer with the local MTB club to design the best courses and provide ‘A-Line’ (long) and ‘B-Line’ (short) course options so more riders can participate.

If you thought the outback was full of sand and corrugations you’re wrong! This is single track heaven with endless blue skies and dusty smiles.

“If you are one of those people who have heard about The Redback and thought I might have a crack at that one day… Start planning for 2023!!! I can highly recommend it as a fantastic challenge with an awesome crew of like-minded and very friendly competitors.” Sarah B,

The stages:

The stages for 2023 provide mountain bikers with “best of the best” riding in Alice Springs; along with the new A-Line and B-Line (long and short course) options over 3 of the 6 stages:

  • Stage 1 – Friday (AM)
    • A-Line – 36km
    • B-Line – 22km
  • Stage 2 – Rapid Ascent 300m ANZAC Hill Climb – Friday (PM). Same for A and B-line riders.
  • Stage 3 – Saturday (AM)
    • A-Line: 45km
    • B-Line: 25km
  • Stage 4 – Individual Time Trial – Sunday (AM).
    • A-Line: 22km
    • B-Line: 18km
  • Stage 5 – Night Race – Sunday (PM).
    • A-Line: 22km
    • B-Line: 18km
  • Stage 6 – Monday (AM)
    • A-Line: 52km
    • B-Line: 25km

Full Course Details HERE

The event format allows riders to enter all 6 stages (over the A-Line or B-Line) OR pick and choose the single stages you want to do. This is great news for riders with less experience or locals who just want to hone in on a single stage to fit their work schedule.

“Alice Springs Rocks! Fantastic event, riding the creek beds, ragged rocks, stunning scenery all made an impact… I felt a huge sense of self achievement to complete all 6 stages.” Ruth M (2018 participant)

‘THE EASIEST RACE LOGISTICS OF ANY STAGE RACE’ – guaranteed!

The Redback has the easiest race logistics of any MTB stage race in Australia thanks to the sheer quantity (and quality) of trails in close proximity to Alice Springs. The event’s unique attributes are:

  • Multi-day stage race without multi-day logistics – all race days start and finish within rolling distance of Alice Springs, so NO rental car or support crew necessary (we’ll even pick you up at the airport!)
  • A-Line (long) and B-Line (short) course options over 3 of the 6 stages.
  • On-course nutrition is provided – or give us your ‘special brew’ and we’ll take it to the water points for you
  • Race in the morning then kick back around the pool in the afternoon
  • Frequent race presentations and social functions to build the event atmosphere
  • Choose to stay in the appointed event hotel with negotiated rates and full event center

“Mountain biking definitely brings people together – you could see it after every stage where people would be comparing stories from the day’s adventures out on the trails. This then carried over to the pool, dinner the airport and beyond.” James Downing (long time event ambassador)

Video highlights

Here’s a video by Flow Mountain Bike that provides a really good sense of what the trails are like around Alice Springs (2018).