SA XCO Champs: Race + Build up - Mankele

After a good result at Worlds View, it was time for me to focus on the big one. The fight for the stripes and the title of South African Champion. Being first year u/23 in a really competitive field of riders, I set myself a realistic, but stil very challenging goal at the begining of the season. I wanted to be on that podium!

PYCycling arranged a training camp for us at Mankele two weeks before the big day to get ourselfs comfortable on the course and to all round improve and gain confidence in our technical riding ability.

Seeing that this was during a solid training block we also worked in a couple of hard efforts on the track, wich took its toll on most of us...

Edwill after a little interval session

Paul showing the "girls" how it's done

Marcel and Edwill not convinced by the statement "it's like riding of a pavement"

Back to Pretoria and it was time for the 2nd Nissan Trailseeker at Cullinan. The wind blew us apart and I managed 7th over all in the marathon. All and all it wasn't my best day on the bike, but none the less a good leg stretch before the war.

During the week Epic Sports sorted out my Cannondale and Dimension Sports took care of my legs. Everything was ready and early Friday morning we hit the road with the wolfpack.

As we arrived at Mankele bike park, I did my final prep on the course and then it was chill time. Even though the stress levels were through the roof, the atmosphere in the squad was filled with jokes and laughs. No beter way to calm the nerves!

Paul and I felt this was a good opportunity to try some new things on race day, so after breakfast I did a light roller spin. With the Elite/U23 men only starting at 1:30 I stayed at the guest house, trying to relax as much as possible during the morning. Well that was the plan... The twitter feeds from the lady's race had me jumping up and down for about 90minutes. Thanks Yolande! 

Warming up the engin!

As I started warming up I felt fresh and awake! Even though I had the outside line on the start shoot, I got away nicely and was happy with my position heading into the first single track.

As we came through after lap 1, I was feeling pretty comfortable in the leading group of 6 or 7 riders with the 2 olimpians Burry and Phil setting the pace. Small gaps started to open as we hit the gruelling tar climb on lap 2. Soon Rourke was out of sight for me, but I could still see Luke on the longer open straights. The mentorship of Paul kicked in and I kept telling myself what he told me to remember "just keep it smooth and keep flowing, you know you can"

The big drop!

Half way through lap 5 I noticed Luke was fading a little. Once again I heard Paul's voice "they will fade, just keep it smooth." I took a few risks to get back and managed to catch him and Max just as we started the final lap. Game on! I considered attacking straight away, but I knew my legs wouldn't have survived such an effort. I was also confident in my ability to sprint, so I was happy to take it to the line with a skinny oak.

However Max picked up the pace and I must say I was impressed with his technical riding for someone who hasn't been racing xco in a few years. He had me fighting to stay on the train through the twisty single track, but once we came out onto the BMX track and into the crowd the sprint was on between the youngsters.



POWER!! Trying to sprint while cramping..

Somehow Luke opened a solid gap in the first corner, but then made it easy for me to get back when he made a slight mistake going into the second corner a bit to hot! I was right on his wheel over the jumps and bridges and it came down to a kick on the final stretch towards the line. Unfortunately for me that line came to soon and I finished 3rd u/23 less than half a wheel behind Luke Roberts with Rourke Croeser taking the win.

Photo finish!

Video of the sprint for 2nd and 3rd:

Must say I am happy with the way my xco season ended. Thanks to everyone for the support, especially Paul. Not only did his coaching make a big difference, but also from a motivation point of view he is a great guy to be around.

2012 SA Champs podium for u/23 Men
Luke Roberts : Rourke Croeser : Arno du Toit

2012 SA Cup Series podium for u/23 Men
Jason Meaton : Arno du Toit : Shaun Silver



Fourth and final cup xco:

The fourth and final leg of the 2012 National XCO Cup Series was held this past weekend at Worlds View, just outside Pietermaritzburg. I've raced here before as a sprog a few years ago, but since then they have changed the course completely. It was pretty straight forward with only one or two sections and lines to worry about and not a lot of climbing, however there where some tight and twisty corners and most of them where dry and loose.

View from the "Base Jump"

On race day I was as ready as can be and with some of the big guns racing in Canada, I knew I had to grab the oppurtunity. I had a good start and it wasn't long until Renay Goustra and I managed to open a slight gap over the rest of the field.
The sudden rainy whether on the start line made things interesting over the first 3 laps, with everyone on dry tires, traction was a problem for some of the guys!
It was a ding dong battle with a lot of cat and mouse games going on, but we stuck together for the first four laps. Renay put in a big effort, the same as every previous lap, but this time I just couldn't stay on his wheel.

The gap slowly opened and I couldn't do anything about it, he was on a mission! I dragged myself through the last two laps and managed to hang on to 2nd over all and 1st u/23.
With the Cannondale running smooth this season and with the support from Epic Cycle Shop, I also ended up winning the u/23 Men XCO Cup Series for 2012.