TIME FREIGHT MULTISPORT SERIES EVENT #2

RESULT: 1st Overall

Checking the weather report on Saturday before the race I was elated to see it was set to be a 29 degree scorcher. Summer is on it's way back and after racing the Cowan House mountain bike classic the weekend before in rain and freezing temperatures, resulting in a week of flu and resting, the heat was welcomed with open arms.

I decided on the Saturday after doing a stationery spin that I was feeling well enough to give the race a go. I knew I wouldn't be feeling my best but just couldn't bear to miss the event, especially with my personal sponsor THULE supporting the event. We were returning to Shongweni after a few years of not racing at the dam so would be nice to see what the course was going to be like.

The pace was extremely fast from the start in the run. I didn't feel to bad during the first km of the run, however after that we began to climb and my calves started tightening up. I was losing time fast and even had to resort to walking. My hopes for a win were disappearing fast.

I got onto the bike in 8th a long way behind the leader. I wasn't feeling strong on the bike but got into a good rhythm and was starting to make some passes. I was impressed with the course that was put together, it had loads of climbing with some spectacular single track. I was in my element and came through the transition area after the first lap in 3rd and not far behind the leaders. I soon realized that the one athlete ahead was Eric Zondi who wasn't doing the multi-x event and the other was Andy Birkett who was doing the event in a team. So I was in fact leading my event but really wanted to get off the bike first. I pushed hard on the second lap and knew the heat would be affecting everyone. I managed to catch both Eric and then Andy and came off the bike in first.

Starting the final run I could feel my calves were still extremely painful and I was just going to have to dig deep to get through the final run. I managed to narrowly hold on for the win finishing only 20sec ahead of Derrin Smith with John Ntuli finishing 3rd.

I was extremely happy to come away with the win after really struggling through the event. Definitely got a lot of work to do now leading forward and really excited for it.

Thanks a lot to Klint and the guys from POWASOL for being at yet another event and providing all the athletes with a great bike wash.