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Your Choice, Your Challenge!

The Massif Cantalien offers tremendous terrain and the Merrell Oxygen Challenge proposes 5 MTB Cross-Country events between the 13 and 16 May 2010.

Compose your à la Carte Challenges by choosing those events you feel at home in!

Click below to discover the course of all MTB events :

ONLINE REGISTRATIONS FOR THE MERRELL OXYGEN CHALLENGE ARE NOW CLOSED

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Inscriptions are possible on site.
Please contact us at merrelloxygenchallenge@aso.fr for checking the events availability
or any further information.

Thursday 13 May 2010

MTB Prologue



• Level of difficulty : 2/5






Discover the detailed map of the course with all the relevant information
   


• Total distance : 3,3 km
• Positive altitude difference : 110 m


The “warm-up” to the Merrell Oxygen Challenge in mountain-biking, this prologue involves tackling a 3,3-km loop, equipped with a GPS supplied by our partner Garmin, around the heart of the Lioran ski resort. Explosive speed is not enough, only a careful management of your effort will lead to success. It is an ideal opportunity to get your bearings on the terrain of the Cantal and test the power of your “engine”!


• Start time: one runner per minute from 11 a.m.
• Open to those of 18 years of age and over
• Fees: €7 (includes loan of GPS)
• Register now

Friday 14 May 2010

53-km Cross-Country


• Level of difficulty : 4/5






Discover the detailed map of the course with all relevant information
   


• Total distance : 53 km
• Positive altitude diffrerence : 1870 m
• Time limit : 7 hours 30


After an uphill start in which competitors jostle for place, you will get to grips with an initial fairly fast downhill section, with some single-tracks on the menu. The next part will be more physically demanding, but, by climbing uphill, will offer you the opportunity to admire the superb landscapes of the Cantal. There are no real technical difficulties, but with a significant uphill gradient and considerable distance, this route is reserved for regular mountain-bikers.

NEW FOR 2010: the route has been substantially changed over 20 km for better riding and to limit the amount of carrying or pushing.


• Start time : 10 : 30 a.m.
• Open to those of 18 years of age and over
• Fees: €34
• Register now

86-km MTB Marathon


• Level of difficulty : 5/5






Discover the detailed map of the course with all relevant information
   


• Total distance : 86 km
• Positive altitude difference : 3200 m
• Time limit : 11 h


The leading event of the Merrell Oxygen Challenge for mountain bikers, this 84-km route will take you through some of the finest spots of the Cantal Mountains, at the heart of Europe’s biggest volcano.

The first 48 kilometres are identical to the 53-km cross-country race. After this “warm-up” the participants will get to grips with an additional loop that leads them to the fantastic tracks along the range’s mountain ridges. They will start with the Voie Romaine, a long, technical but fun descent, before tackling the last difficulty of the day and returning to the resort. This intensive race is reserved for very well trained competitors who can handle the length of this marathon, significant differences in gradient and highly technical difficulties of the last 38 km.

NEW FOR 2010: the route has been substantially changed over approximately 40% of its distance for better riding and to limit the amount of carrying, especially towards the end.


• Start time : 8.a.m.
• Open to those of 18 years of age and over
• Fees: €42
• Register now

Saturday 15 May 2010

25-km Cross-Country


• Level of difficulty : 2/5






Discover the detailed map of the course with all relevant information
   


• Total distance : 24.5 km
• Positive altitude difference : 1100 m
• Time limit : 4 hours 30


A new distance for your 1st mountain challenge!
The initial part of the circuit, with a mainly downhill profile, will allow you to warm-up. After a long ride through pasture land, you will then have to tackle an imposing slope, followed by a cliff-top track with an unbeatable view of the Cère valley. You will then return to the resort via fairly quick tracks, especially in the last 5 km. This route does not boast any major technical difficulties and is accessible to all mountain-bikers.


• Stat time : 11 a.m.
• Open to those of 16 years of age and over
• Fees: €20
• Register now

Sunday 16 May 2010

36-km Endurance MTB


• Level of difficultuy : 3/5






Discover the detailed map of the course with all relevant information
   


• Total distance : 36 km
• Positive altitude difference : 1100 m
• Negative altitude difference : 1900 m
• Time limit : 5 hours 40 min


This 36 km route is sporty and fun, alternating between timed special sections where competitors can test and compare their performances, and fun and friendly non-timed sections. The aim of the game is to manage your effort and be the quickest over each special section! This endurance race is accessible to all mountain-bikers, especially those from the Cross-Country discipline. It includes undulating special sections, with mainly downhill profiles, on quite a wide variety of terrains (mountain ridges, woods, etc.). Like in 2009, the semi-rigids should again do well!


• Discover the profile of the timed specials
• Start time: one runner per minute from 6 a.m
• Open to those of 18 years of age and over
• Fees: €27
• Register now

The Big Challenge: the Merrell Oxygen Series

The Merrell Oxygen Challenge offers Mountain Bikers the chance to take up the A la Carte Challenges. But for the most seasoned among you, we’ve devised The Big Challenge: the Merrell Oxygen Series!

The concept is simple: complete 3 events of different formats over 4 days. Are you ready to take on the Big Challenge?

Your enrolment for the Merrell Oxygen Series will be validated when you are registered for each of the 3 events. Each individual participating in the Merrell Oxygen Series will receive an additional gift : a reflecting technical vest.