South Africa’s top mountain bikers are heading for Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal for what could be the decisive fifth round of the seven-race Ashburton Investments National MTB Series this weekend.
EAI Cycling’s Gawie Combrinck is one of South Africa’s top mountain bikers are heading for Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal for what could be the decisive fifth round of the seven-race Ashburton Investments National MTB Series this weekend. Photo: Zoon Cronje
Riders are ranked on their top five results and the KZN leg could give those who have missed a race a chance to move up in the overall standings.
Series leader Konny Looser (Meerendal Wheeler) heads the field and the Swiss will be looking for the win that has eluded him so far.
He will face strong opposition from SA marathon champion Gawie Combrinck (EAI Cycling) and top 10-ranked riders Guylin van den Berg (IXU Sport), Waylon Woolcock, Nico Bell (RECM), Pierre Smith, Matthew Beers and Erik Kleinhans (RECM).
Two-time series champion Bell is on dangerous form after finishing second overall in the challenging Bestmed Jock Tour in Mpumalanga last weekend.
Hero Adventures at Sugar Rush, incorporating Holla Trails, will be the race venue, which will see the men tackling a 105km route with a total ascent of 2 100m.
The North Coast’s short, steep climbs and kilometres of technical single-track will demand the riders’ full attention and ensure a fast and exciting contest.
In the women’s race, multiple Cape Epic winner Ariane Kleinhans (RECM), SA marathon champion Robyn de Groot (Ascendis Health), former national champ Cherise Stander (RECM), Namibian champ Vera Adrian and Olympian Candice Neethling (Freewheel Cycology/Pam Golding) will vie for the honours on the 70km course, which features 1 200m of climbing.
Last year’s series winner Kleinhans has done only three of the races due to European commitments but will give 2015 leader Neethling a run for her money as she attempts to move up the rankings.
De Groot’s form appears good after a dominant victory in the Nissan TrailSeeker Lionman marathon earlier this month.
She will be keen to get her hands on the coveted National MTB Series title once more after inscribing her name on the trophy in 2012.
For more news, results and photos go to Ballito.
