TimW

Is that official? Do you know on what basis did James Reid miss out? Good for Phil and Alan, but in my mind sad for James.

Yes ... it is two. I am sure we have been helped by Rourke -- that 9th from 2015 certainly contains some of his points I am sure.

From the official UCI / IOC document ... UCI Olympic qualification ranking NOCs ranked 1 to 5: 3 (15 total) NOCs ranked 6 to 13: 2 (16) NOCs ranked 14 to 23 1 (10) Subtotal: 41 (plus 8 from continental qualifications not in UCI rankings-- 2 from each continent) Women NOCs ranked 1 to 8: 2 (16) NOCs ranked 9 to 17: 1 (9) Subtotal: 25 (plus 4 -- but not SA who turned this option down) The UCI Olympic Qualification Ranking is a combination of the UCI ranking by nation Cross-country as of 25 May 2015 and 25 May 2016. The UCI ranking by nation of 25 May 2015 is based on results from 25 May 2014 to 24 May 2015. The UCI ranking by nation of 25 May 2016 is based on results from 25 May 2015 to 24 May 2016. The UCI ranking by nation is calculated by summing the points of the three (3) best placed riders from each NOC in the UCI Individual Ranking, Olympic format. NOCs with only one (1) or two (2) riders will also be included in the UCI ranking by nations. Tied NOCs have their relative positions determined by the place of their best rider on the individual ranking. I think it is safe to say we have two men qualified as the 12th best nation. Changed to two qualified!

But spare a thought for the Swiss riders ... they have three spots, but Florian Vogel, who is ranked 11th in the world, could miss out because Schurter, M Fluckiger and Giger are all ranked above him ... or at least one of these four will miss out depending on their selection criteria. On their day any one (or two or three) have the potential to get a medal. Swiss have six guys in the top 20.

I think (and I stand to be corrected on this) you are looking at the rankings for the past year (ie May 2015 to May 2016) and not the combined ranking over the past two years which is used for final qualification. The SA men were ranked 9th at May 2015 and then 16th for the past year, so our combined ranking is 12th once we combine the two sets of points (we were 11th before the update). See "Total Result" on the dropdown. Can anybody confirm I am correct on that ... I am pretty sure that is the case.

That is not correct ... Men 11th (two at Rio) -- I would suspect James Reid, Philip Buys or Alan Hatherly (Philip may fall foul of Sascoc's desire to build for the future but that is pure speculation on my part and unlikely) Women 21st (none) -- but women won African champs so qualify one, but Sascoc has turned that position down and it has gone to Namibia (I think) Of course this is all presuming Sascoc accept the places but I cannot see why they would not and I think they have an agreement with CSA signed and sealed -- so expect two men MTB riders.

With regards to Rio: SA qualifed two men but the women (and I include all SA women, not only those hoping to be in the team) simply never got enough UCI points and so did not qualify (they had one spot via African Champs but Sascoc's ruling -- as agreed by CSA -- is that African qualification would not count. This is the same reason the men's and women's hockey teams will not be in Rio, they both qualified as African champs but that is not good enough for Sascoc). Mariske was injured which was a huge blow as she is a regular competitor at World Cups where loads of points are available. But Candice Neethling and Bianca Haw did not (as far as I know) compete overseas at all over the past two years. I have to wonder if the decision by Sascoc did not play a part in de-motivating them? Cherie Vale picked a few points but one person will always struggle unless she is top and there are simply not enough points available from local events (and rightly so I believe -- riders must compete overseas). This team is for World Champs and I believe the criteria are too strict if no women are able / prepared to qualify (either way it indicates a problem in my mind). The MTB Marathon team is made up of only one rider, Robyn de Groot with ALL the men also failing to meet the selection criteria. Again, I believe there must be a problem with the criteria if nobody is able / prepared to qualify. In my humble opinion the best way to encourage sportsmen is to give them a goal. How can you develop a sport if the selection criteria is so tough nobody wants to or is able to qualify. A development rider will see no MTB teams being selected and look to the road or another sport, an elite rider will do the same or race the Epic and plan other events. I am sure CSA has a strategy but it is my belief that it is maybe not working.

As far as I know (was told by somebody very definitely in the know) DG DID assist Saids with their investigations after his conviction. I would go as far as to say a couple of later convictions were in part due to his help. Saids may not be perfect, but the bleating and whining from a couple of convicted dopers about how unfair Saids is just proves they must be doing something right !!

This weekend's race was organised by KZN MTB and as far as I understand the rules they are bound to follow CSA and thus ICU regulations which means that once a doper has served his sentence he is able to race. Basically like a thief who served his sentence, he should be considered a rehabilitated member of society. The difference with joBerg2C, Sani, Hill2Hill and others who do not accept "former" dopers is that they are individual business entities and thus have the right to (within reason) accept and refuse entries as they see fit. I think Epic is subtly different in that they will accept entries from before the ruling (their policy is that only dopers caught after the date of their change in rules are banned).

I have ridden (well, ridden and walked the odd place) twice and am planning a third ride in a couple of weeks, but I am stopping training now so hopefully i will not be fit enough and have an excuse not to go. Start in Underberg if you want a good warm-up or better at Sani Pass Hotel. Good option is to spend the night at Sani Top or another cheaper backpackers lodge just inland, Sani Stone Lodge, which is about five kms further. About 5-10km further is another steep climb, Black Mountain, with a fantastic dirt road descent over the other side. Long steep climb and then about 15km of sweeping, fast descending -- great fun. Sani is a great challenge and a very good workout, but what we have done in the past is go further into Lesotho and made a great weekend of riding. An option would be to do Sani Pass on a Friday, then on Saturday Black Mountain to Molumong Lodge (about 40-50km depending on route and how much offroad and how much district-type road you want to do), and back over Black Mountain and down Sani pass on Sunday. Last day is long but lots of descending so a great workout at altitude but not impossible. Here is a Sani Pass comparison to some Cape Town climbs, an Epic day from the early years and some Tour de France climbs. Mont Ventoux v The Mast v Sani.pdf

EuroSteel Drak Descent on January 23 & 24 ... http://www.drakensberg.org/event/euro-steel-drak-descent/

I had another make and I had scratched bikes ... then I got a Thule and have had nothing but good experiences and so easy to use. Eventually the locking mechanism on my carrier started to give a bit of trouble -- I expected to have it repaired, but there was not even a debate and they replaced the very old carrier with a brand new one. I have heard lots of strories of guys who have had after-sales service from Thule that is way better than can normally be expected. I rate Thule as the best cycling "accessory" I have.

This from a CSA press release this week ... Cycling SA has the vision to promote social cohesion and participation equality. We, as the National Federation, will not penalise any of our members or licensed riders for participating in events not listed on our national calendar, or events unsanctioned by Cycling SA, as this would be counter-productive. However, it must be noted that no Cycling SA Commissaires will be authorised to officiate at unsanctioned events. We uphold the UCI’s suspension of the “forbidden race rule”, that allows licensed riders to participate in non-sanctioned events, and have a firm belief that any participant should be treated on an equitable basis.

Probably 99% of people use some performance enhancing substance in every cycle race. For some it is just a cup of coffee, or a mix of supplements, or a goo, or an asthma pump, or EPO ... or a combination of the above. The question is where is the line that determines legal from illegal. We have Wada etc saying what is on one side of the line and what is on the other -- ie what is legal and able to be used, and what is illegal and not able to be used. Not all substances on the banned list are performance enhancing for cycling. They can be used to mask other illegal substances ... or they could be performance enhancing for other sports -- caffeine will not help a archer, who does not need a stimulant, but an dodgy archer would rather use a beta blocker (I think it is a beta blocker) which slows his heart rate and help him aim and shoot. But beta blockers will not help a cyclist ride faster however, Wada only has one list and so both are illegal for both archers and cyclists. Some things fall into a grey area, like asthma sufferers who may have to use a pump at some point when they are suffering from flu -- like Chris Froome who got clearance from the powers that be to use it. I do not know if his asthma pump was performance enhancing (in that if I used it it would help me cycle faster) -- probably not, or I would expected UCI to have said no. TUE are a good way of circumventing some of the grey areas and allowing for genuine medical conditions (until they are abused). It seems Froome has only used TUEs on a very limited scale so to hang, draw and quarter him for one or two TUE is ridiculous.

Event Name: Compendium MTB Derby When: 25 May 2014 Where: Shongweni Polo Club, Kwazulu-Natal Category: MTB WHY do you ride a mountain bike? If it is for the pleasure of negotiating kilometres of single track, or the challenge to race your peers, or the chance to simply get outdoors and enjoy your bike without the worry of traffic, then the Compendium MTB Derby on May 25 is your kind of race. The Compendium Derby is organised by mountain bikers for mountain bikers, and once again this year they have made it their mission to give the 45km riders loads of real mountain biking. Entrants can experience the best of the popular Shongweni and Giba Gorge areas with some sublime trails ready and waiting to massage the souls of all entrants. However, the organisers also realise that not everybody finds single track trails comfortable and for some weaving their way through natural bush on trails is not a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. For these people the Compendium 25km will cater for riders who would rather enjoy the chance to be part of a well-organised event with mostly Jeep track and cane roads providing the pleasure. And of course there are those who still aspire to the 25km distance, and so for the less experienced riders, the St Mary’s DSG 5km and two-lap St Mary’s DSG 10km will provide riders with the option of safe, well-marshalled rides from the Shongweni club. And of course, all entrants in all four races have the chance to win a Silverback Stride 10 mountain bike from Cyclesphere. All four races start and finish at the Shongweni Club, just five minutes from Hillcrest, 20 minutes from Durban and 30 minutes from Pietermaritzburg, making this one of the most accessible races in the country. With huge parking facilities, a full kids entertainment area, food and drink stalls and and mini market there is plenty to keep the spectators and family occupied with riders are enjoying their sublime trails. The 45km riders get the full gamut of mountain biking, with some cane-break riding early on in the Shongweni area to spread out the field, before riders are led through as much fast, flowing single track as can be found in the Shongweni and Gold Circle areas. For the second half of the race, riders drop into Giba Gorge to experience single track heaven, where even the climbs are more fun than normal. An added little section this year is a run through the new Freedom Trails MTB Park which will be officially opened after the race. For the 25km riders there are loads of cane break, Jeep track and easy single track to make for a fun day in the saddle. St Mary DSG has come on board for the 5km and two-lap 10km events and will ensure that the shorter races are safe and secure. For more information see www.mtbderby.co.za Go to Event Page

Database has possibly not been updated for Lill / Woolcock to show Woolcock is out. He possibly only told them this morning at the start and so they are still recording Lill as a team of two -- same with tracking, only one rider carries a tracker (I think). Also the tracker is not live GPS tracking. It will be updated every x seconds / minutes and the rider has to be within range (possibly cell phone reception) so don't think you will see the leaders jostling for position in real time. Also if battery runs out I presume it will just record their last known position. Nice as a guide to see roughly where rider (might) be, but don't follow it too closely

Ben Bostrom is riding impressively today ... up there with what I think is the second bunch, with Sauser and co. I knew GP and Superbike riders were fit, but did not think he would be able to stay with the big guns. Anybody else think these are the conditions where Rabon's lack of MTB experience may be being exposed. In mud like this you need more finesse that power.

I have been told they cut a tyre early in the day, put a tube in and both changed wheels at water point one, but had problems. One of them could not get their wheel off (too tight) and then evidently looked to be panicking. They wasted loads of time (I was told about 30 minutes behind as the left water point but no accurate time that I know). As for Rabon ... don't understimate him. I suspect he will be strong when he needs to be -- technically he may be lacking at bit, but I don't think that will be enough to be a huge disadvantage on an event like the Epic which is not a technical race (unless of course this year's shorter route is more technical than normal).

Just stumbled on this from Ross Tucker ... http://www.sportsscientists.com/featured-series/#cramps

PPA could have created a problem in the future: UCI Rule 1.2.019 states, "No licence holder may participate in an event that has not been included on a national, continental or world calendar or that has not been recognised by a national federation, a continental confederation or the UCI." In other words, if PPA try to organise Argus without falling under CSA then no licenced rider may ride the Argus. According to the rules he would only be eligible for a one-month suspension so it is not really a big problem and I suspect a lot of riders would take the penalty and have a month off. For 2014 this rule will not be enforced (UCI have it under review) and a UCI official has said the change may mean it may only apply to elite and professional riders in future.

He is going to find it hard to live this down

Just proves MTBers are the hard men of cycling.

Would have made no difference whatsoever. Looks like the owners / builders / contractors deliberately ignored multiple stop work orders including it seems one or two from courts. That mall did not have plans passed and was identified as being a danger, but every time the Thekwini council ordered them to stop they ignored the order and council was in the process of getting another court order.

New look for podium: GC standings 1 1 42 R E:C M T93 Men Waylon Woolcock M South Africa Erik Kleinhans M South Africa 18:58:32.738 - 2 2 44 Scott Factory Racing T131 Men Matthys Beukes M South Africa Philip Buys M South Africa 19:09:13.716 +10:40.978 3 3 37 Fedgroup-Itec T88 Men Brandon Stewart M South Africa Konny Looser M Switzerland 19:16:48.305 +18:15.567 4 4 37 Westvaal - Columbia T1 Men Nico Bell M South Africa Gawie Combrinck M South Africa 19:24:52.477 +26:19.739

The Mercury has full story on the heart attack victim this morning.