Sabie half marathon

Although half marathons not being my favorite discipline of mountain bike racing I decided I was going to travel to Sabie to race the third round of Nissan National Half Marathon Series on my Ellsworth Enlightment 29er.

The team travelled up on the Friday morning and arrived in Sabie on friday afternoon. We were privileged enough to stay in a luxurious villa just outside Hazyview. The ultra marathon and marathon races were on Saturday and my race was on Sunday. 

On the morning of the race registration was an absolute breeze despite the thousands of other riders. With a quick warm up it was a scramble to the start line. 

After a 1.2km neutral zone the racing began and I went straight to the front to see what I could create.

After racing Ryan Gibbons for two years I knew what he was capable of so he was the man to watch. As we hit the first climb he put in a huge effort and I struggled to his wheel.

we already had a large lead by the time we reached the first water table and I couldn't get Ryan to drop off.

After numerous attacks from both parties we were still together at the 30 km water table

After the last water point it was all downhill and I knew if I took responsible risks I would be able to get rid of Ryan

In the last 10 km's I gave it 100 percent effort and finished 2-3 minutes ahead of Ryan.

All photos are courtesy of Zoon Cronje

Next weekend I will be racing at Karkloof for the Momentum UCI XCO race and then the world cup fever begins.

Till next time

Cheers

won wet war

So its a new week which means new blog.

This passed weekend I competed in the Momentum international XCO #1 at Giba Gorge. Rain was predicted and for once the weather man was correct. My pre-race ride on friday morning was wet and already the track had started taking abuse.

Saturday morning dawned and it was raining hard already. On the way to the course it seemed to calm down a bit.

On the start line it seemed that the rain ad given up. Mother nature was soon going to prove me wrong.

With a good start I managed to attack from the word go and going through the feed/tech zone i already had a slight lead.

Throughout the race i managed to build a significant lead and the rain became heavier. The course became worse and worse and the harder i went the slower my lap times became. i managed to win by about 4-5 minutes over Patrick Belton.

The pro elite age group was off at 12 30 and why a race it turned out to be. with terrible conditions and an almost impossible course. James Reid , Philip Buys and Rourke Croeser put on a suburb show for the crowds. Philip ended up winning and on the whole it was a brilliant day.

Glad to have come off with a win finally.
Next weekend i will be racing the MTN sable marathon.

until next week
cheers

SA xc #1

After driving for just over 16 hours we arrived in Cape Town on wednesday evening, we arrived to the howling wind that the cape traditionally brings.

Thursday morning was filled with bike adjustments for the weekend ahead. by lunch we were at the track. The course was short and fast. 13-14 minute laps were predicted. The layout was perfect and by for the best track i have ever seen for the spectators, 90 percent of the course was visible from the willowbridge mall, which was sure to attract a lot of spectators.

Friday morning was spent trying to get lines right and loosening the legs. In the afternoon we were to compete in a provincial team relay consisting of 1junior, 1 elite, 1 u23 and 1 female athlete. We were to all do one lap each. KZN managed to win by just over 4 minutes. Thanks to Burry stander, Travis walker, Candice Neethling and myself.

Saturday morning was pouring with rain and everyone thought it was going to be a wet one until the unpredictable mother nature produced 30 degree heat on the startling. With a fast start i was able to get into 4th position and slowly got onto Dylan Hattingh's wheel. we rode away from the rest of the juniors going into lap 2.

Coming through for lap 3 i had a 20-3- second lead but that was short-lived as i crashed going around a berm and lost my lead and confidence.

From the on it was a crawl to the finish line. I managed to maintain my 2nd position and Patrick Belton came in third.

All and all it was a superb weekend with the team and enjoyed it thoroughly. The real racing begins now and I have 7 consecutive weekends of racing ahead.

Until next time

Cheers