All eyes will be on two-time South African marathon champion James Reid as he aims for the hat-trick at the 2015 Ashburton Investments National MTB Series Van Gaalen in the North West Province this Saturday.
With a hat-trick of National MTB Marathon titles on the line Team RECM’s James Reid is not putting too much pressure on himself in the build-up to the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series Van Gaalen, which doubles up as the 2015 South African Mountain Bike Marathon Championships powered by Stihl on 6 June. Photo: Craig Colesky/Gameplan Media
Despite the attention, the young Capetonian said he felt no added pressure and that this was probably a contributor to his success.
“I don’t place marathon racing at the top of my priority list but racing for a national title is always important and it is one of the big three titles that you as a mountain biker always want to win.”
Reid has just returned from two UCI World Cup events in Czech Republic and Germany and has only a week to switch from a cross-country to marathon racing mindset.
“My preparation for the last two years has been exactly the same so the short turnaround isn’t a problem and I don’t think it will be a disadvantage for me considering I have done it before.”
If anything, he said, the World Cup races had helped him harness his explosive power and pitted him against a top-quality international field.
Reid will have additional support at the national champs in the form of RECM teammates Nico Bell and Erik Kleinhans.
“Both Erik and Nico have the shape and having strength in numbers will definitely help, especially in the latter stages of the race when it gets quite tactical.”
The defending champion said keeping the victory in the team would be just as satisfying.
Entries for the event – which is also the fourth round of the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series – will be accepted on race day. This event is not limited to the championship contenders and is open to the public.
Go to Van Gaalen for more information.
