Teens set the pace in MTB challenge
The endurance and technical skill of cross-country; the speed and raw nerve of downhill; the explosive, elbow-to-elbow spectacle of four-cross, mountain-bike racing is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
The “not so delicate as a daisy” Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge combined all of the above. This renowned race took place on Saturday and was a rude awakening for those who might have feasted just a little bit too much on those festive treats during the past holiday and spent too little time in the saddle.
The challenge has over the years grown in popularity at an amazing speed, and has become one of the toughest mountain bike events in the country.
The race was open to cyclists of all ages, shapes and sizes, unfit, fit and super fit, and consisted of four different categories. These included a fun ride of 20km, a half-marathon of 45km, a full marathon of 75km and the ultramarathon of 120km.
The annual event kicked off the cycling calendar with a great new challenge for all riders.
The day started in drizzle and this ensured many muddy and wet obstacles that tested the contestants but made it fun for spectators. Soon, however, the competitors enjoyed a tough warm day on the track, set out to test all those that took it on.
The racers departed from the sports field of Barberton High School and followed an incredibly scenic trail that took them up the Makhonjwa
Mountains (with majestic views over the De Kaap Valley), through nature
reserves, dams and very close to the Swaziland border.
It made a large loop to finish at the high school again.
In the 20km race a mere slip of a boy gave the rest a run for their money when he casually cruised into first place.
Ryan Terry might only be 13 years old but he is already a force to reckoned with. He will definitely have eyes on him in the future.
In the 45km event it was yet again a teen boy who raced to collect the gold medal. Liam de Klerk (16) just managed to beat 18-year-old Ryan Clarke.
Twenty-one-year-old Hein Engelbrecht managed an unbelievable win in the 75km when he arrived at the finish line with a seven-minute lead.
The Lowveld’s cycling pride, Nico Bell (31) won the 120km Elite race.
According to Nic Eksteen, president of the Barberton Rotary Club, this event is the perfect opportunity for cyclists to test their fitness
and skill.
Eksteen was excited about the changes to the routes that included
single tracks that made the race more exciting and challenging.
