E-MTB category announced for Sydney 12 Hour

E-MTBs WILL get their own race category at this month's JetBlack 12 Hour endurance race.

Rocky Trail Entertainment chief Martin Wisata has decided that the time is right to see if pedal-assisted mountain bikes can be part of the mix with regular riders on leg-powered machines.

"I've thought about it for a while now but I wanted to time it right," Martin explained, adding that he's already fielded a few requests from e-mtb owners. 

"At the moment there are not a whole lot of e-bikes around, but this will change. In Austria they outsell regular bikes already. I raced one there and it was good fun," he said.

"I don't really see the point of it in a lap-based race but if riders want to race it, why not? I don't see the point in singlespeeds or hardtails either!" he joked. "I think that, especially for our Superflow gravity series, they will be a huge part in a year or two."

Martin says that the Mowbray Park Farm in Picton, south-west of Sydney, is a good trial venue.

"With wide trails where overtaking is super-easy, this is the perfect location to see what if any impacts this has on the race," the Rocky Trails team posted on Facebook. "We're all about including riders of all ages and abilities but want to get it right."

Only pedelec bikes that are legal in Australia will be accepted. The race is on 25 November.