The third round of the Cycling SA-MTB National Cup Series takes place at Thaba Trails near Alberton in Gauteng on 25 and 26 May 2013.
Gauteng Mountain Bike Commissioner Wendell Bole and his team have pulled out all the stops to ensure that the trails meet the standards of the national cup series race. “This is a proper cross-country (XCO) course with a little bit of everything,” said Bole. “And the team has been working hard to build a downhill course of a high standard from scratch.”
Mariske Strauss (Team Contego 28E) showed total dominance in the Pro-elite category at round 2 of the Cycling SA-MTB National Cup Series in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Photo Credit: Mylene Loumeau/Cycling SA
The XCO trail is 5,2 kilometre in length with an elevation of 130 metres per lap and incorporates single track, dual track, winding trails in the woods and rock gardens. The loop will not only test the riders’ fitness but their skill strengths as well.
The downhill course measures 1,2 kilometres and it should take the competitors roughly over two minutes to complete. The first half is technical, and there is a speedier section towards the middle of the run. Then riders will encounter more technical elements and rock gardens as they near the finish line. The route also includes berms, gap jumps and drop offs.
The elite and under-23 men line up at the start of the recent XCO race at round 2 of the Cycling SA-MTB National Cup Series in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Photo Credit: Mylene Loumeau/Cycling SA
Spectators are welcome to attend. Out of town competitors can visit www.gautengmtb.co.za and the “MTB Gauteng” Facebook page for a list of accommodation options.
Online pre-entries close at midnight on Wednesday 22 May, so enter now:http://csams.cycling…p-series-3.aspx
Late entries will be accepted at registration on Friday 24 May (09:00-16:00 for XCO and DHI) and Saturday 25 May (09:00-14:00 for DHI only).
Adriaan Smit in the downhill event at round 2 of the Cycling SA-MTB National Cup Series in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Photo Credit: Mylene Loumeau/Cycling SA
The SA XCO and DHI Series gives riders around the country the opportunity to compete against one another in these disciplines, and provides SA Mountain Biking the chance to see the best of the best in action, and how they handle the competition on the different courses in varying conditions. This process assists SA MTB in selecting the best possible team to represent SA at the UCI MTB World Championships.
Entry Info:
Date: 25-26 May 2013
Province: Gauteng
Location: Thaba Trails
Entries Close: 22 May 2013
Starting Time: 08:00
Registration: 24 May 09:00-16:00 XCO & DHI / 25 May 09:00-14:00 DHI only
Click here for the XCO Route Map
Click here for the XCO Route Profile
For any further info, contact Wendell Bole on 082 900 0749 bole@icon.co.za or Dellah Paul on 082 781 5656 dellah@cyclingsa.com.
