Hayley Smith is confident ahead of the Scottburgh MTB Race on Sunday, where she will try to continue the trend of South Coast winners.
The challenging 45km event doubles as the third leg of the inaugural South Coast MTB Series and has seen six of the last eight titles go to Ugu district competitors.
Haley Smith will look for a record third win at the Scottburgh MTB Race on Sunday. Photo: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media
The Margate cyclist is looking forward to competing in familiar territory.
“I missed last year’s race as it fell on my 21st birthday so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and taking part in an event that is not too far from home.”
Despite racing in other parts of the country lately, Smith has an intimate knowledge of the course. She was the runner-up in 2011 and won the race in 2013 and 2014.
Already the event’s only multiple winner, Smith will use her local knowledge to claim a record third Scottburgh title.
“My cousin Darryn Purtell and I won the two-day Bitter-Sweet MTB Challenge stage race in Rocky Bay last year and the trails in Scottburgh will be quite similar to those I’m sure.”
Smith finished fifth at the Eston Marathon this past weekend and is building towards the Hill2Hill in September.
“I’m feeling good at the moment and am most definitely keen to go for my third win this weekend!”
Go to Scottburgh MTB Race for news, results and photos.
