Team South Africa are hard at work preparing for the 2016 UCI MTB World Downhill Championships taking place in Val de Sole, Italy, from September 6 to 11.
The country’s Elite men’s downhill champion, Stefan Garlicki (Investec), is excited ahead of his race and has shaken off his disappointment after failing to qualify for the finals at the World Cup in Andorra at the weekend.
The South African downhill team prepares for the 2016 UCI MTB World Downhill Championships in Val di Sole, Italy, from September 6 to 11. Photo: Struan McMaster
“There were a few issues on my bike which I’ve managed to sort out and I am ready for the week,” he said.
Junior rider Coenie Slabbert (Giant South Africa) said he was really excited and it was a life-long dream come true.
“This is a really big honour. I’ve seen the track, and it is really rough, but it looks like a lot of fun.”
Cullen McMaster, who forms part of the junior team along with Slabbert and Christopher Philogene (Lapierre South Africa), said he had walked a bit of the track and it was looking top notch.
“I’m keen to start riding. Today is bike building and bike prep. I’m ready for the weekend.”
The Elite team this year also includes three-time world champion Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate), who recently added to his World Cup podium tally when he claimed the silver medal at the UCI Downhill World Cup in Andorra at the weekend.
Jonathan Philogene (Lapierre) and Johann Potgieter also form part of the Elite team.
This year’s team is managed by South African downhill enthusiast Sam Bull, who is not competing due to injury.
“It’s a course I know quite well, having ridden it for the past few years. I’m hoping to help to bring out the best in the riders, and although I would have loved to have been riding, for now my goal is to provide the best possible platform for the athletes to achieve,” he said.
