A cold, muddy and rutted Contermanskloof Mainline awaited the DH riders this past weekend for the Western Province Championship for 2014.
The legend that is Contermanskloof Mainline
With more than 20mm of rain falling the night before, it was always going to be an ever changing track of slippery rocks and sketchy moments. A quick and nasty patch of rain came along halfway through practice, making sure everything stayed nice and clogged up.
With our local pro riders racing overseas, and the winter showing its teeth, the field was smaller than expected, but the racing was good nevertheless.
1. Theo Erlangsen 02:12.183
2. Adriaan Smit 02:16.363
3. Duran Van Eeden 02:17.821
4. Roman Kumpers 02:21.412
5. Myles Kelsey 02:22.521
6. Timothy Godfrey 02:25.160
7. Jacques Prins 02:25.854
8. Jaco Veldsman 02:26.700
9. Francois Du Toit 02:27.013
10. Graig Roades-Harrison 02:28.917
Check out the full results here.
Thanks to all our sponsors involved, Leatt, Dial’d Bikes, Red Bull, Paarl media Group, Mondi, DCP, Giant. Thanks to Tygess Medics who always make sure we are safe. Thanks to Greville from Great-Time for doing the timing in the cold and windy conditions. Thanks to Robert Starke and the Starke family for the opportunity to have another race on the farm!
Last minute (wet) lube application
Spectators trying to stay warm
The type of surface that awaited the riders
Think peanut butter like mud making traction rather interesting
Sebastian Petersen taking on the road gap despite the loose, muddy run in
Contermanskloof Mainline
Jason du Toit in the switchbacks
These guys always seem to come out when it rains
Deep, pedal bashing ruts throughout the top section of the track
Andries Starke successfully dealing with the ruts
Adriaan Smit hitting the road gap on his way to 2nd position
Dark skies about to unleash
And then the rain came
The finish line area looking rather grim
Brief but intense rainstorm
But it wasn’t long for the sun to shine down again on the finish line
Theo Ngubane absolutely covered in mud
Jacques Prins dropping into the gulley
Jonty Neethling was on a flyer until he punctured close to the bottom of his run
The infamous Contermanskloof rock garden – also referred to as the ice garden – with 3 (maybe 4) line options through there
Myles Kelsey trying to figure out which line will work for him…
…and committing to one
Duran van Eeden styling over the hip on his way to 3rd
Theo Erlangsen, the king of Contermanskloof, on his way to the finish line and WP DH Champion
DH WP Champs 2014 Men’s podium
Words and images: Ewald Sadie
It was fun to watch, though I think that a couple of riders pulled out due to the weather?
The fast boys and Rika are really a pleasure to watch coming down the trail in those conditions!
Then my youngest youngster enjoyed playing with these little guys about midway up the trail.....