IT
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ENFrom 1999, thousands of cyclists gather together on the Manie plateau in Finale Ligure to compete and celebrate on board of the two wheels. But, what is the 24H of Finale Ligure precisely?
What is it?
The 24H of Finale is one of the most important endurance mountain bike events in the world. It gathers together thousands of passionate bikers from all the continents.
From the first edition it has become a reference point for its unique style, half way between 'a happening' and a Mountain Bike competition…always, of course based on a different topic.
It is the actual division between the two realities that live together, the agonistic and the festive one, pushed by the every year different mood that makes the 24H always so unique.
In this independent world you’ll find two different places crossed one with the other. On one side the real competition trail that passes through some of the best views of the whole Liguria, on the other the camping and paddock area side with all you need to have fun: Live Concerts, Food, Beer, Entertainment for children, tours and exhibitions.
This year the 24H becomes challenge among superheroes!
What is it made of?
The festival called “24H of Finale” includes 3 different mountain bike events that have place starting from the 27th of May 2016 to the 29th of May 2016.
Even if the kinds of competition are different, all of them have the same basic format and follow the same rules. Although the track changes, the team has to run for 24 hours one component of the team at a time.
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SOLO RACE: the superhero who decides to take part to the SOLO wants a challenge against himself and the time. Riding alone or with a team mate who swaps with him every now and again, he pedals for 24 hours, stopping only for eating something of having a brief rest. The SOLO is a proper competition where who ends the circuit the most times wins.
Last year, as in 2017, the 24H SOLO was part of the WEMBO circuit: the world 24H championship.
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TEAM RACE: this is for the supeheroes who want to change the world together. This is the team competitive section. Only 4-8-12 athlete teams are allowed here. Strategy and team planning are vital to gain the best result and win the competition.
This year the 24H is part of the “24H MTB ITALIAN CHALLENGE” and give points to the teams.
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CYCLOTURISTIC: superheroes don’t compete with each other here. This is the non-agonistic session of the event and dedicated to all of them who want to live it differently or want to get closer to endurance. There will be a separate ranking for this cathegory.
The track
The track changes depending on the cathegory that is riding: the SOLO will be different fromthe TEAM or the CYCLOTURISTIC. Here are the two tracks, you can download them from the 24H of Finale/tracks website
- SOLO RACE (27-28/05/2016, start at 12:00): The track which is about 7km long and covers about 230m climb and descent is shorter than the following day races
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TEAM RACE (28-29/05/2016, start at 14:00): The track is about 12km long and covers about 540m climb and descent. In this case the circuit includes a ring at the beginning and a last one before the Toboga section. The first piece begins in Noli and follows the 8 trail to the Manie plateau till the proper start of the race
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CYCLOTOURISTIC (28-29/05/2016, start at 14:00): The track is exacly the same, the starting point is from the camping site behind Ferrin restaurant.
Team area
During The 24H week-end the Manie’s area becomes a true village with accommodations (tents/caravans) restaurants and various services. Everything is set like a puzzle and the space is used at its best. There are also changing points, the starting point, speaking and concerts. You can also add some optionals to your stay like the electricity plug and Wi-Fi connection.
Goody bag
The subscription fee does not only comprises of the amazing festive atmosphere, but also a goody beg will be handed to the partecipants. It will contain:
- Jersey of the event
- Buff, limited edition for the event
- 24H of Finale gadget
- 3 meal tickets
Furthermore, partecipants will be able to:
- Have medical assistance during the whole race time
- Use toilets and showers
- Wash their own bikes and get mechanic assistance for free (new parts excluded)
Tips
The beautiful thig about the event is that it includes not only 3000 partecipants, but every year it sees more and more newcomers that love cycling and staying together. Taking part for the first time is never an easy experience even though the organization is pretty impeccable. Everyone has to think about what to bring with himself and how to stay comfortable during these two days. So, here are some tips that might make your 24H more enjoyable and fun.
- In the case your team is already set, we suggest you to subscribe as soon as possible, this gives you the right time to organize everything the proper way
- Make sure you have a valid medical certificate with you since you have to hand the original copy in. In the case you did not make it or you forgot it, you can do it on the spot before the race begins
- You can freeze the payment you already sent for the following year in case you are eventually not able to partecipate
- The camping area will be available from Wednesday the 25th of May 2016. From that moment you will be able to set your camp up
- The partecipation fee needs an insurance that you can make at home or on the spot before the race. We suggest you to do it as in advance as you can since making an insurance immediately before the race would be a difficult task for the volunteers who are already working really hard
- The night section doesn’t have any light on the track. You will need at least two lights: one on the handlebar and one on the helmet. You cannot start if you don’t have then between 8:00p.m. and 8:00a.m. of the following day
- There is the chance to swap with your team mate before the end of your run. This is possible only if something that doesn’t allow you to continue happens. We suggest you to call your team mate if something happened in the first half of the circuit.
- The previous editions of the 24H of Finale have been particularly rainy. We suggest bringing also warmer and waterproof clothes with you for the coldest moments on the race. The mud is slippery on the trails, so be careful and maybe get some mudguards not to impare your sught when riding
- Toilets and showers are available 24h but we suggest to bring your personal towels too
- For the bigger teams who bring barbecue as well we suggest to rent or take a small gazebo to shelter the food and the tools
- Last but not the least: it is true, the 24H is a competition, but it does not have to be experienced only like this. It is an amazing experience of mountain biking and friendship. You can go back to the happy festive atmosphere that only the bike can create
Curiosities
The 24H is a unique event, where bikers gather together from all over the world to celebrate the atmosphere of getting together and make new bond and friendships, It is a really important stage made of a long lasting tradition that onlya few other events can give.
Here are some curiosities about the 24H of Finale
- This year's topic is Superheroes
- From this year the number of the partecipant will be put not only at the front but also at the back of the bike so that if any complaints had to be made, everybody would be able to do so
- The guides of MTBFINALE.eu will take part to the event and will be available to guide some small tours on the neighbour area
- The 24H is not only bike but also other different event
- The whole toboga section has been fixed and some stands have been put on the side of the last part of it
- Bike For Peace: la 24h 2016 becomes a campaign for peace.
Allowed bikes
All the bikes that have the features told in the regulation will be allowed. No bikes with an engine will be allowed. There are also the single speed and the tandem categories.
The best mountain bike for the race is surely the cross country bike full suspension since the track is made of steep uphill sections and amazing, long, not too technical descents.
