MiWay BIG FIVE KWAMBO MTB CLASSIC

 

Result: 1st Overall

The final race in the MiWay Big 5 Mountain Bike Series had arrived and having missed one race in the series due to international commitments I had to race Kwambo to qualify for the series. It was set to be a tough day with very cold wet and muddy conditions welcoming the many keen riders.

It was good to have XTERRA athlete Mitchell Ginsberg out at the race doing final preps for World Champs in Hawaii at the end of October.

From the gun I had planned to set a strong pace firstly to try ensure the fastest finish time possible for the overall series as well as getting in a last hard race effort before the upcoming Berg&Bush stage race. About 3km into the course I lifted the pace up the first slight drag of a climb and looked back at the top to notice I had a gap over the chasers Mitch and Werner Moolman.

The muddy slippery conditions kept things interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed pushing myself the entire way. The legs were responding every time I asked for a little more and this is always a brilliant feeling.

I felt strong all the way to the line managing a time of 1:57.00 which looks like is enough to take the overall series win as well. Mitch Came in for a strong second in 2:04.27 and Werner Moolman in third in 2:04.57

Well done to the organizers of the series, they did an amazing job with the 2013 series and everyone really appreciates what MiWay is doing for Mountain Biking in Zululand. Hoping the series grows even bigger in 2014. Thanks to all who have backed me during this year through all the ups and downs. Thule South Africa, Sfera Group, CoolPoint, 32Gi, Powasol, Concept Cyclery Ballito, FutureLife, Saucony. Without all the support I have received this wouldnt be possible so I cant thank everyone enough.

MiWay BIG FIVE MONZI MTB CLASSIC

Result: 1st Overall

It has been a while since my last race and after a few weeks of good consistent training I was really keen to head out to Monzi and test the legs. The Big Five races are always great fun and the organizers do a great job of putting on well run events.

It looked like it was going to be a scorcher of a day but I don't think anyone realised just how hot it would get with some people recording well over 40 degrees Celsius and with the wind doing the usual Zululand thing and absolutely howling it would make for a good tough days racing.
 

I knew the course was relatively flat so I had decided to just attack every small incline that came my way to make things difficult. After about 2kms I found myself out front on my own with Werner Moolman and Sean Merridew chasing just behind. Not wanting to go alone to early I backed off slightly and rode with the two rather then burning myself out into the head wind.

About 16kms into the 50km race we came to another short steep climb, I decided to have another go and was once again off the front on my own so instead of sitting up I went for it alone, this is always a risk on such a flat course with howling winds as both Sean and Werner are extremely strong and could work together to bring me back but I was there for a good hard day on the bike and decided to back myself. It was mentally quite tough after that as they were out of sight but I was constantly worried they would be chasing back so I kept my head down and pushed on.

I eventually crossed the finish line victorious and not realizing I had managed to pull an 8min gap over Gareth Harrington who had come back very well to finish in 2nd overall and Sean Merridew crossing in 3rd with my Dad and Coach finishing just behind in a close 4th.