Knysna Pennypinchers/Coaches Corner Cycling XCO#1

[Fat26]

The first race of the SWD XCO series, presented by MyTracX, was hosted by the George Hillbillies MTB Club at the NMMU Saasvleld Campus. The 6.4km track included some old favourites like the Grave Yard and Damn Climb and although not very technical, still proved to be a test for the riders with 136m of climb per lap. With quite a few riders away at other races in other parts of the country, the podium positions were wide open for contenders and delivered some serious riding, especially in the single track.

 

The sub-juniors supplied some close racing in their classes with 8 year old Carlo Coetzee showing some older riders how it is done. In the Juniors Waldo van Niekerk (RE-CM) and Tayla Odendaal (Contego) took the top placings while in the Under 23 Class Jason Meaton (Coaches Corner Cycling) moved to the front of the pack at the start where he stayed throughout the race to built up more than a 5 minute lead over the other riders.

 

Although a light wind was blowing, it was hot inside the forest with riders emerging covered in dust. Everybody enjoyed the well ridden in course with some tree roots and a few rocks to supply some technical riding. The down hills had some fast flowing single track with some leg burning climbs to follow and short sections of open jeep track to give the riders a chance to have a drink. The Saasveld campus with all its facilities and ample safe parking always makes for a great venue where the fourth leg of the series will again take place. The next race in the series will take place on Saturday, 21 April 2012 at Witfontein outside George. It would also be great to see more juniors, especially girls, getting involved in cross country racing, as the numbers are still very few to really grow the sport.

Full race results and pictures will be available on the www.mytracx.com website.