National MTB series contenders in crucial clash at Van Gaalen
South Africa's best mountain bike riders are involved this weekend in the eighth stage of the National MTB Series near Hartbeespoort.
After a total of four rounds comprising seven stages, the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series reaches a crucial point on Saturday with the eighth stage at Round 5 of the prestigious series, which takes place at Van Gaalen near Hartbeespoort.
Less than an hour’s drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, Van Gaalen offers a traditionally tough all-round challenge, with the steep gradients, rugged terrain and stimulating single-track making for a comprehensive test of rider strength and skill.
Unlike recent years, when the Elite men have tackled an ultra-marathon, this year they will join the Elite women in a marathon distance battle over 68km, which should make for an intense, exciting battle as a number of riders vie for the points that could swing the 2017 national marathon series title in their favour.
South African marathon champion, Nico Bell (Team NAD Pro) currently leads the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series men’s rankings with 25 198 points from seven stages. Bell’s Team NAD Pro teammate, Gawie Combrinck is currently second with 23 004 points, also from seven stages and 2016 champion, Max Knox (New Holland/This Way Out) is third on 22 552 from six stages.
The Pyga Eurosteel pairing of Philip Buys (22 443 points) and Matthys Beukes (21 728 points) are close behind in fourth and fifth respectively. Buys from Pretoria has completed six stages and Beukes seven.
The way the scoring works in 2017, the points from each rider’s best seven results of the 12 stages will count.
“I haven’t checked the overall Ashburton Investments National MTB Series standings, but we are more focussed on winning the races than winning the Series. But it will be a bonus if we can get the Series lead or overall win,” said Buys, fresh from his victory at last weekend’s Nissan Trailseeker Series Lionman event.
In the women’s division South African marathon champion, Robyn de Groot (Ascendis Health) holds the current series lead with a score of 23 434 points from six stages. Sarah Hill is in second place with 18745 points from six stages and Amy Beth McDougall third on 18 739 points from five stages.
McDougall, winner of the last two stages, will be absent on Saturday as she’s racing abroad. But there’s certain to be a tight tussle for the women’s title with De Groot the firm favourite. She’ll be wary of Samantha Sanders (Valencia) and Candice Lill (dormbakaba), both currently in good form, as well as Theresa Ralph (Galileo Risk) and Sarah Hill (Liv).
In addition to the half marathon and the marathon the event also includes a 20km race and a 10km fun race for those who want to spend their Saturday morning on a bike in nature. The marathon starts at 07:30, while the half-marathon will start at 09:00. The 20km race will start at 10:00 followed by the 10km fun ride at 10:30.
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