The inaugural IM Haugesund (Norway) has 6561 ft of climbing on a single loop. The prep event is the Cheaha Challenge (http://www.cheahachallenge.com/) in Alabama. All distance options combined appear to have about 1500 riders total with about 160 attempting the Ultra (looks like a 20-25% DNF).
The athlete is old and experienced with good pacing control and never a problem with fueling. He thinks he has good emotional control but has occasionally ridden too hard on hot days. Heat is an achilles heal but that shouldn't be a problem in Norway. He is considering doing the Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo (103 miles, ~9700 ft) two weeks before the Cheaha Challenge. He has ridden that and the Boone, NC Tour before so has experience with long rides with elevation.
The athlete is old and experienced with good pacing control and never a problem with fueling. He thinks he has good emotional control but has occasionally ridden too hard on hot days. Heat is an achilles heal but that shouldn't be a problem in Norway. He is considering doing the Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo (103 miles, ~9700 ft) two weeks before the Cheaha Challenge. He has ridden that and the Boone, NC Tour before so has experience with long rides with elevation.