Easy MTB defence for Uvongo’s Hayley
The young rider used the tricky conditions to her advantage.
HAYLEY Smith of Uvongo became the first person to successfully defend her title when she walked away with the spoils in the women’s race at the 2014 Scottburgh MTB Race, presented by Sappi, with the slogan ‘Raw and Untamed’.
The men’s race was won by Tyronne White, with Southbroom’s Evan van der Spuy (the defending champion) finishing fourth, just under two minutes behind the winner, so it was a pretty close race.
Hayley found the blustery conditions tricky but made the most of her opportunity when she got away. “It was pretty tough out there with the wind and the soft sand but I really enjoyed it,” she said.
“There was a group of three of us at the beginning of the race but I managed to get ahead of them on the first climb and win the Queen of the Mountain and from there I got away from them for the remainder of the race,” the Bell Equipment star said.
She was elated when she crossed the finish line in first place.
“Being able to win the race two years in a row is really great, I am extremely happy with my ride today,” she said, excitedly.
Hayley finished in a time of 2:03:21.
