Registration is now officially open for South African mountain biking’s new weight division, the TREAD Buffalo Category.
Mountain bikers that weigh 90kg or more can register to be a member of the TREAD Buffalo Herd, where they will be rewarded for their achievements at most of South Africa’s most popular mountain bike stage races.
Set to launch officially at the 2014 Old Mutual joBerg2c stage race on April 24, the TREAD Buffalo Category will add new depth to the popular sport, which, by its nature, favours smaller, lighter riders.
“Cycling performance is largely determined by a rider’s power-to-weight ratio. Generally, the lighter the rider, the faster he or she will complete a race.
“But with so many people of all shapes and sizes being drawn to mountain biking, the majority of the riders in each race are simply just making up the numbers, their competitive side being subdued by traditional race structures,” said Sean Badenhorst, founder of the TREAD – Mountain Biking With Soul brand, which has created the new weight category.
“Some people are just born big and strong. They have a lot of fun in mountain bike races, but are never rewarded for their efforts, despite training just as hard and racing with as much heart as the top 20 finishers.
“By adding a TREAD Buffalo Category, events are adding a much-missed competitive element to those mountain bikers that will never be able to challenge for an overall race podium.”
For more information, visit www.treadbuffalo.co.za.
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