South Africa’s largest mountain bike race series, the Nissan TrailSeeker Series Gauteng, wraps up for 2016 at the Diamond Rush edition at Cullinan, northeast of Pretoria on Saturday.
Likely favourite Nico Bell (right) and Waylon Woolcock in a sprint finish at the 2015 TrailSeeker Diamond Rush. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za
In addition to the podium battles on the day, 2016 Nissan TrailSeeker Series titles will be contested by what is expected to be a capacity field.
After four rounds, SCOTT LCB Factory Racing’s Arno du Toit is the current leader of the men’s marathon series. However, with each rider’s best three events to count, he will be wary of the Team NAD duo of Nico Bell and Gawie Combrinck.
A win on Saturday could put Combrinck into the overall lead, while Bell may only need to finish second to ensure he defends the series crown he claimed in 2015 after a win and a second place in the two events he contested this year. Others that will be gunning for a top finish on Saturday include Joe Bester and Alan Gordon.
The scenic Diamond Rush routes offer a test of fitness, skill and experience with a variety of challenging sections, including riding through rock formations, across rivers and over hand-built bridges. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za
Current women’s series leader, Theresa Ralph (Galileo Risk) will be missing the event, but she appears to have scored enough points in the four rounds she has completed to secure the title. There will still be a fierce podium battle for the final round prize purse though, with Maricel Bekker likely to be the favourite.
There are a total of four distances – the 69km marathon (761m of ascent), 37km half marathon (398m of ascent) and the 20km Fun Race and 10km Fun ride.
The marathon route is a single loop and shares the early and final kilometres with the half marathon. It will offer a test of fitness, skill and experience with a variety of challenging sections, including riding through rock formations, across rivers and over hand-built bridges.
Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za
The half-marathon route will also offer a scenic experience, but with less formidable sections and a high percentage of dual track and gravel roads.
As is customary at Nissan TrailSeeker Series events, there will be a Nissan Chill Area as well as food, refreshments and a beer garden tent. There’s a kids play area that includes a jumping castle and face painting.
The four events will all start and finish at Cullinan Sports Grounds. Online entries can still be done at www.trailseeker.co.za
Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za
