South African hopeful Alan Hatherly has decided to withdraw from the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup race to be staged in Stellenbosch tomorrow.
Hatherly felt the risk of aggravating a wrist injury he suffered at the Tankwa Trek a month ago wasn’t worth taking.
Alan Hatherly pictured earlier this week at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup press conference. Photo: Ewald Sadie
He made the decision to withdraw yesterday. “I spoke to the doctors and they said it would have been possible [to take part], but if there had to be a small fall it would put me back so far,” Hatherly said.
“The risk is just not worth it ahead of the Commonwealth Games, which are only four weeks away.”
He said he was disappointed at having to withdraw. “My form is good. I have still been riding outside on the tar and my form is still the same as it was before my injury.
“It makes it tougher to accept, but there are bigger fish to fry,” he said.
Hatherly was the highest-placed South African at the SA MTB Cup XCO Series opener just over a month ago.
