Ballito’s motoring maestro ready for renewed European challenge

Jumping tires, rocks, log-piles and death-defying distances is all in a day’s work for Ballito SuperEnduro rider, Blake Gutzeit.

Blake (26) was born into a racing family on the South Coast, with 2 of his older brothers becoming accomplished motorsport riders.

Jade, his eldest brother, was at the peak of his powers when Blake was young, inspiring an inquisitive mind and showing what was possible on a bike.

Initially, Blake enjoyed riding but never thought of taking it on as a professional career, playing a host of other sports and enjoying non-motoring hobbies. At 16 he started to regularly win local races and got a taste for competition.

“I spent 2 years in the junior Enduro class and started to really get a feel for it. After I finished matric, I made my way to Europe to try and make it professionally,” he said.

He got used to the level of international competition quickly and just 2 years later was crowned the Junior SuperEnduro World Champion. He was also crowned South African national champion that year.

What does SuperEnduro racing on an international level look like? The obstacle course like races are held inside stadiums on a looping track. Riders race over jumps, through water and over any manner of obstacle. It is a much bigger sport in Europe where Blake regularly races in front of 15 000 fans.

Now in the prestige class – the highest level of competition possible – Blake is consolidating his position as one of the best riders in the world.

“After I tore all of the ligaments in my knee at 22, it has been a bit of a recovery process but I have been slowly getting better every year. In the last 3, I have come 7th, 6th and 5th, so things are improving.”

The 2020 championship was cancelled, but Blake is itching to get back and show that he is ready to be at the top.

“I have spent a lot of time with my coach, Russell White and I really feel like I have a good chance this year. The body is feeling good and I am as well prepared mentally as ever.”

Blake trains daily on the local terrain and at the Ballito Endurocross Track. Racing is tentatively scheduled to restart in December in Germany with Blake hoping to bring home gold.

To get a feel for what Blake does, you can watch a GoPro perspective of one of his races at www.instagram.com/tv/B63pexGidA1/?hl=en.

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