The 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Series is set to kick off with a bang as the province signs a new presenting sponsor – Greg Minnaar Cycles – for the Enduro and Downhill events. GMC returns after having previously sponsored the series for many years, and aims to introduce new talent to the disciplines of Enduro and Downhill mountain biking.
Greg Minnaar Cycles (GMC) Operations Manager, Travis Browning, said that KwaZulu-Natal is fortunate to have some of the best riding venues South Africa has to offer, right on our doorstep.
“2016 will no doubt bring a successful series of races and we are very excited to be a part of it. For GMC, it isn’t as much about racing but rather giving back to the mountain biking community. It’s about creating a safe, well-sanctioned event in conjunction with KZNMTB.”
The first round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro and DHI Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles, takes place at St. Ives MTB Park on Saturday 20 and Sunday February respectively. Photo credit: Gavin Ryan/Quick Pix.
Browning highlighted that it is the social aspect of cycling in general that sets cyclists apart from other main stream sportsmen and women and is something that is great to witness first-hand at the races.
“Friends’ riding with friends -young and old- it doesn’t really matter. Our main objective is assisting KZNMTB with creating an interest in both Downhill and Enduro, a passion we all live at GMC. Ultimately we would like to see the continued growth in the Gravity side of mountain biking in KZN. If the series helps to achieve that, then we have accomplished our goal as a sponsor.”
The 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Series is made up of three Cup rounds and one Championship event in each of the three disciplines: XCO, Enduro and DHI.
In the DHI competition, two of those Cup races will count towards regional points as well as National Series Points in the absence of the DHI National Cup Series this year.
KZNMTB Commissioner for Downhill and Enduro, Nigel Hicks, said: “This added points log will see the series grow even further from 2015 with the inclusion of riders from around the country in two of the three series events.”
The first round takes place on 20 and 21 February at St. Ives MTB Park, with the Enduro on the Saturday and Downhill on the Sunday. “The Enduro trails are being finalised and promises a kickass opening round in the heart of the Midlands at one of the most stunningly picturesque venues on the calendar,” said Hicks. The DHI will count towards provincial points only and is a great way to be introduced to the sport with a fun, flowing track awaiting the riders.
For XCO riders, racing starts even earlier with the first event taking place in the magical singletrack forests of Hilton at HCF (on the Hilton College Road) on Saturday 6 February.
The first round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial XCO Series takes place at HCF, Hilton, on Saturday 6 February. Photo credit: Gavin Ryan/Quick Pix
Entries are open and those riders wishing to participate can enter on the ROAG website for the XCO race (http://www.roag.co.za/eventinfo.aspx?EventID=1731) and the DHI and Enduro (http://www.roag.co.za/eventinfo.aspx?EventID=1727) races.
Once again, KZNMTB would like to thank its sponsors Greg Minnaar Cycles, as well as all those involved in the series for helping make it all happen.
For more information, contact Rebecca van der Linde info@kznmtb.co.za.
I love St. Ives!