Spectacular MTB series ends with a bang
This year's series was hosted by the Mpumalanga Mountain Bike Association at some of the best purpose-built venues in South Africa.
A truly spectacular series of mountain biking ended with a bang on Saturday (April 11) as the fourth and final leg of the Mpumalanga Cross Country Series was held at the Lowveld’s “home” of Mountain Biking, Mankele in Sudwala.
This year’s series was hosted by the Mpumalanga Mountain Bike Association at some of the best purpose-built venues in South Africa. The first leg of the series was also held at Mankele, followed by the second at Uplands College in February and Sabie in March.
Mankele is known as a very flat course but very technical. “The Sabie leg was a particularly hard-fought race with the fantastic track adding some new dimensions to the competition,” says Brett Coates, chairman of MaMBA and director for Mountain Biking in South Africa. The final leg at Mankele, where the riders blasted a short but intense lap, truly separated the wheat from the chaff.
The year’s racing was very well attended with many riders taking the opportunity to improve their skills and test their fitness. Particularly hard fought were the sub- veteran men’s section where Dirk Lourens and Mark Meyer gave each other a run for their money throughout the whole series. Lourens took the win despite Meyer coming back strongly to win the final race.
In the sprog girls Ainsli de Beer showed her national level potential by winning all her races as did Jooste Coetzee in the sprog boys. Luan Snyman, Franco Pelser, Marnique de Swardt and Elizabeth Delport achieved the same in their respective categories.
“This year has been a great series and its fantastic that riders are discovering the fun and excitement of cross-country lap racing,” adds Coates.
On the weekend of April 25 and 26, Cycling South Africa will host the third round of the 2015 National Cup Series at Mankele. The best riders in the country will be present and in force determined to stamp their authority as the SA Team selection for the world champs and the 2016 Olympics looms large on the calendar.
The best cross-country and downhill racers will descend on the famous MTB park to test their fitness and skill on what is arguably one of the most testing courses in the country. Among these riders will be Olympians Phillip Buys and Candice Neethling while the likes of Mariska Strauss, James Reid and Rourke Crouser will be keen to show their mettle. Cross-country is all Saturday and there are categories for all riders – any local can enter on Friday at the venue and race in their age group Saturday. The pro-elites start racing with the women at 10:00 and men at 12:00. “The downhill on Sunday is always a festive atmosphere and the Mankele course is incredibly steep and rocky so bring your kids and your vuvuzela and have a great day no cycling fan can miss,” Coates concludes.
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