Defending champion Nino Schurter feels the seven 4.4km-lap Coetzenberg course will play a decisive role when the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup race takes place in Stellenbosch tomorrow.
The Swiss Olympic gold medallist, who had a highly successful 2017 season, raced on the same track just over a month ago when he took part in the SA MTB Cup Series XCO opener.
Nino Schurter pictured during the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup press conference. Photo: Ewald Sadie
On that occasion, he was narrowly beaten into second place by compatriot and Cape Epic teammate Matthias Stirnemann.
Schurter described the course as “dusty” and “slippery”.
“It is a really tough course with steep up hills and difficult descents,” he said.
“When I raced on it a few weeks ago it was very dry and the surface was pretty slippery, but it’s a fun course.”
Schurter has been using the Coetzenburg Grounds in Stellenbosch as his training base for years.
“I have been coming here for 10 years now,” he said. “Christoph [Sauser] showed us how beautiful Stellenbosch is and I train here in the European winter months. I love the place.”
One of Schurter’s potential threats, Czech Jaroslav Kulhavý, hinted that he would be targeting the Swiss when they take to the course.
“I hope I can beat Nino. I’ll at least try because it was a bit boring last year with Nino winning everything,” Kulhavý quipped. “We’ll see on the day, but I’ll try my best for success.
