Declan Sidey was delighted to win the 70km Ngwenya Glass MTB Challenge for the first time at his third attempt when the race took place in Swaziland on Saturday.
Sidey, who rides for the Stellenbosch-based Mad Mac p/b häzz, was beaten by Max Knox into second in his previous two cracks at the title.
Declan Sidey was delighted to win the 70km Ngwenya Glass MTB Challenge for the first time at his third attempt on Saturday. Photo: Supplied
Knox did not take part in this year’s event, but Sidey still relished the victory.
“Last year it was pretty close, so it was nice to get the win this time. It was third time lucky I suppose,” Sidey told In the Bunch today.
He added that he had enjoyed the route.
“It was interesting and similar to racing in Sabie. It had nice plantation and single-track and contained pretty steep climbs and fast downhills.
“The route kept you on your toes – you had to stay focused and you never got bored.”
Sidey completed the race in 3:18:48, beating Heine Engelbrecht into second, who crossed the line in 3:26:24. Muzi Shabongu completed the podium in 3:43:05.
“Heine and I got away pretty early in the race, but then he unfortunately suffered a crash in one of the rivers.
“From then on I just pinned my ears back and he was unable to get back onto my wheel. I kept it safe all the way until the finish.
“I don’t know if I would have won if he [Engelbrecht] didn’t crash, but it was just one of those things.”
Team dormakaba SA’s Samantha Sanders comfortably won the women’s race, finishing third overall.
Sidey described the race as being “special”, with all the proceeds of the event going to a local charity, Cheshire Homes Swaziland.
Due to an unforeseen setback, Sidey was forced to skip the SA national marathon championships this weekend. Instead, he will turn his focus to the J Bay Wind Farm MTB Classic in Jeffreys Bay on Saturday.
