Reigning champion Johann Rabie wants a third consecutive title in the Old Mutual joBerg2c international mountain bike race that kicks off in Heidelberg on Friday.
Johann Rabie, who will ride alongside HB Kruger, is aiming for a third consecutive Old Mutual joBerg2c title. Photo: Supplied
The 29-year-old, who rides for Team Telkom, won the nine-day race alongside Gawie Combrinck in 2014 and 2015, but this year has partnered with HB Kruger.
Rabie said his goal for the race, which stretches over four provinces between the south of Johannesburg and Scottburgh on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, was “to win”.
At the same time he acknowledged that there would be a good deal of pressure and the nature of the 900km race meant that nothing was guaranteed.
“It’s a big goal to win again, yes,” said Rabie, who lives in Malmesbury in the Western Cape.
“But with mountain biking races there are so many factors. It is important to stay out of trouble, healthy and not to injure yourself.”
Rabie said they were hoping for a spot of luck after an up and down start to the year.
“We had mechanical problems earlier in the year, and HB fell sick before the Cape Epic. We are hoping our fortunes will change now.”
Last year Rabie placed sixth overall and second in the African jersey before going on to win his second joBerg2c title.
Kruger finished sixth in the National MTB Series event in Clarens at the weekend. Kruger, who grew up in Pretoria, now also lives in the Western Cape and has competed in road teams with Rabie before.
Rabie rated his former team-mate and Nico Bell of Team Nad among their toughest competition.
He said that he was looking forward to the joBerg2c event and added that the changes to the route, which includes a shortened stage four and an all-new day six, would add excitement and value.
Britain’s Catherine Williamson, who has won the women’s section in the past, is another rider to watch out for in the race. She has shifted her focus to the mixed section this year.
Williamson, 34, who finished runner-up previously, has teamed up with Johan Labuschagne to race in the colours of The Bicycle Company-Mitas.
For more news, results and photos see joBerg2c.
