The day started off pretty bleak with the sun only managing to get a few rays past the clouds, but in the end, 40 riders came out and braved the conditions for the third round of the Western Province Downhill in Paarl.
Glorious looking, but the sun didn’t do much to sway the rain
With previous races at Paarl being very hot and dusty, most people haven’t ridden the track in wet conditions with limited visibility, especially the uncovered top part of the track. The initial rain made the soil nice and grippy but as the day progressed it became more and more slippery.
Paper work, check. Now to race.
Rika Olivier taking top spot as usual for the women’s race with a time of 2.01.
Jason Gorman enjoying the tacky dirt at the top of the track.
Dane Olsen coming home in 8th with a time of 1.51 as the Afrikaans Language Monument peeks over the horizon.
Thick fog covering the (usually) picturesque Paarl valley as Craig Rhodes-Harrison descends to the bottom.
Rika Olivier taking the fast line through the top rock garden.
Ivo Kittel as he plants his front wheel in a hole seconds before going OTB FTW.
Myles Kelsey in at number 5 with a time of 1.49.
Duran van Eeden with his wind tunnel tested mustache taking 3rd spot in 1.47.
Before the rains came, things looked like the Paarl everybody is used to.
Adriaan Smit beating Duran for 2nd spot by just .27 of a second.
Once in a while the sun would pop through the clouds to illuminate the beautiful surroundings.
Not many spectators joined the event. These two had the best seats in the house.
Jens Rubow down the clay chute.
Then the skies opened up once more.
Mini flash floods
Theo Erlangsen getting creative with a number board and some tape. #cantseeshit
Shuttling up at mach 3 proved tricky with the custom peak extensions.
Ex Paarl local and World Cup racer Stefan Garlicki looked fast all day and stayed on form to take the win by almost 7 seconds. 2nd Spot was claimed by Paarl local Adriaan Smit, followed closely by Duran van Eeden.
Top 10 overall:
1. Stefan Garlicki – 01.40.481
2. Adriaan Smit – 01.47.270
3. Duran Van Eeden – 01.47.540
4. Theo Erlangsen – 01.48.495
5. Myles Kelsey – 01.49.856
6. Roman Kumpers – 01.50.148
7. Devon Katzen – 01.50.665
8. Dane Olsen – 01.51.921
9. Jaco Veldsman – 01.53.362
10. Jacques Prins – 01.54.957
Jaco Veldsman dragging bars through the last berm. 9th with a time of 1.53.
Craig Rhodes-Harrison smashing up the last corner on his way to the finish line.
Theo Erlangsen flying through the woods with really very limited light. 4th spot with a time of 1.48.
The man of the hour, Stefan Garlicki, taking top spot.
From left, Duran van Eeden (3rd), Stefan Garlicki (1st) and Adriaan Smit (2nd)
Thanks to the Paarl locals, Coenie Slabbert and his father, Smittie, Wynand and all the others who prepared the track. To the sponsors, Kia Motors Paarl, Bergrivier besproeing and Cycle 4 life. And lastly, thanks to Great Time for keeping perfect time!
Words and Images by: Ewald Sadie
Awesome pics!