The elite fields at the second round of the 2017 SA National MTB Cup Series XCO at the Wolwespruit Bike Park in Tshwane were dominated by Alan Hatherly and Mariske Strauss yesterday.
Both riders put in strong performances and finished with minutes to spare ahead of their competitors.
Hatherly took control of his six-lap race once he overtook PYGA Eurosteel rider Philip Buys.
Alan Hatherly riding at the second round of the 2017 SA National MTB Cup Series XCO. Photo: Cycling SA
“I was sussing out the first lap and playing it safe. I felt good, but Phil seemed to play tactically and was trying to get Matthys to link with us.
“That wouldn’t have worked to my favour so I pushed off on the first main climb of the lap and, having gained some ground, settled into my own pace,” he said.
The early attack created some distance between himself and Buys and the Spur rider was able to maintain his momentum throughout the remaining laps.
“I kept the pace up and made sure to maintain a nice gap, attacking every descent and finding my flow,” he said. “On the whole it was a good race.”
Finishing in a time of 1:22:54, Hatherly was followed a minute later by Buys.
Buys’ teammate Matthys Beukes completed the podium in a time of 1:25:21.
The women’s race was dominated by Mariske Strauss as she delivered the fastest times in each of her five laps and took gold in a time of 1:27:15.
Chasing lap times similar to that in the men’s category, Strauss’ fast attack worked in her favour as she held a strong lead over the rest of the bunch.
Behind her it was Spur rider Ariane Lüthi, Frankie du Toit for Absolute Motion and Red Bull’s Bianca Haw who battled for top spot positions.
In the end it was Lüthi and Du Toit who flanked Strauss on the podium.
“My race went smoothly – I have to admit I was a tiny bit nervous as I wasn’t sure how my legs would perform.
“My game plan was to gradually open the valves and that seemed to have worked for me,” said the OMX rider.
In the junior fields Pieter du Toit and Tiffany Keep who won their categories while Luke Moir and Zandri Strydom took gold in the youth races.
Full results for each category can be viewed here.
