[Event] 2015 Ashburton Investments NATIONAL MTB SERIES #4 Van Gaalen

[flyluis]

Rode in VG's early this morning, recorded -6.8C around 6:45am, warmed up to -3C by 7:30am. Tracks are looking good though, Erik has learned a few tricks from his recent trip to Sani2C 

Really? I live and work close by and the coldest I've see is 6....

[Francois Pienaar]

I have two marathon entries available, please shout if you need it.  Ciao

[Reden]

There is a racing license for MTB, same set-up as road. I would also like to know how they are going to determine who won what at the end of the day. For the elite/u23 it wont be an issue, but the age cats will be a bit more difficult.

For SA's results you got to have a full National licence.

Different podiums for different types licences.

 

This is the short version of seeding message.

[jcza]

For SA's results you got to have a full National licence.

Different podiums for different types licences.

 

This is the short version of seeding message.

 

What? 

[nonky]

What? 

What what?

[Spinnekop]

For SA's results you got to have a full National licence.

Different podiums for different types licences.

 

This is the short version of seeding message.

I have a full racing license for MTB.

 

Yet I start is B.

And I have a better seeding than some of the guys in A. (And some of the guys in A won't be racing for Nationals because they don't have a full racing license)

 

So I have NO idea how they think it will or should or can work.

In a "normal" SA champs environment you get to race your peers in the same group.  i.e. Sub Vets race sub vets.  Elite race Elites.

 

Now you have a batch where there are Elites, Vets, Sub Vets and girls.

 

So........no so much "SA Champs".....Just a marketing gimmick in my opinion to try and get more entries because Van Gaalens in general is a $&$% course. 

[Vlamrouge]

Anyone with an accurate weather report for tomorrow?

[Rudi Pollard]

I have a full racing license for MTB.

 

Yet I start is B.

And I have a better seeding than some of the guys in A. (And some of the guys in A won't be racing for Nationals because they don't have a full racing license)

 

So I have NO idea how they think it will or should or can work.

In a "normal" SA champs environment you get to race your peers in the same group.  i.e. Sub Vets race sub vets.  Elite race Elites.

 

Now you have a batch where there are Elites, Vets, Sub Vets and girls.

 

So........no so much "SA Champs".....Just a marketing gimmick in my opinion to try and get more entries because Van Gaalens in general is a $&$% course. 

 

I dont agree with your statements at all.

The Elite men race in the Ultra. The SA Mens champ will be crowned in that event.

 

The ladies elites have their own start for the 75km about 50 minutes before the men A batch Marathon go off. So ladies elites race against ladies elites for the honor of being Woman's SA Champ.

 

For the other categories i don't really care, as they cannot realistically have a batch for every single age category. The guys racing for overall honors in their categories knows who their main competition is and will race in that spirit.

 

As for Van Gaalens being a #### course, you must probably be a roadie, as this is one of the most technical(and enjoyable) events we get in these parts. 

[ChUkKy]

I have a full racing license for MTB.

 

Yet I start is B.

And I have a better seeding than some of the guys in A. (And some of the guys in A won't be racing for Nationals because they don't have a full racing license)

 

So I have NO idea how they think it will or should or can work.

In a "normal" SA champs environment you get to race your peers in the same group.  i.e. Sub Vets race sub vets.  Elite race Elites.

 

Now you have a batch where there are Elites, Vets, Sub Vets and girls.

 

So........no so much "SA Champs".....Just a marketing gimmick in my opinion to try and get more entries because Van Gaalens in general is a $&$% course. 

 

Im selective of the routes I do there on a normal weekend, I guarantee that soft sand **** section will be in there, they could go around that or make more distance elsewhere.

 

I actually wanna sell my entry, its too cold for me.

[ChUkKy]

Anyone with an accurate weather report for tomorrow?

 

Ya, poescold

[jcza]

I dont agree with your statements at all.

The Elite men race in the Ultra. The SA Mens champ will be crowned in that event.

 

The ladies elites have their own start for the 75km about 50 minutes before the men A batch Marathon go off. So ladies elites race against ladies elites for the honor of being Woman's SA Champ.

 

For the other categories i don't really care, as they cannot realistically have a batch for every single age category. The guys racing for overall honors in their categories knows who their main competition is and will race in that spirit.

 

As for Van Gaalens being a #### course, you must probably be a roadie, as this is one of the most technical(and enjoyable) events we get in these parts. 

 

Spinnekop is quite correct, for a proper National Championship categories should start and race together. Its not all about the Elite men. It is the National Championships for ALL categories. Maybe CSA should be hosting the event and not Advendurance? 

[nonky]

Anyone with an accurate weather report for tomorrow?

gonna be $%##@@$@# cold

[nonky]

Ya, poescold

if THAT is cold, you're doing it wrong

[Odinson]

Spinnekop is quite correct, for a proper National Championship categories should start and race together. Its not all about the Elite men. It is the National Championships for ALL categories. Maybe CSA should be hosting the event and not Advendurance? 

 

That sounds about right. Why not batch the groups by type? Elite, senior, vets, etc. 

[gtr1]

For as true national champs you should start with your age group. Even a massive difference starting in the front of A batch versus the back of A batch. You can lose the race at the start !

 

Generally the top contenders of a category will be in the same batch though.

[arendoog]

8/10 for race logistics ext .0/10 for the watercrossing MESS .Please go learn from Farmer Glen and Gary how to build a floating bridge for 1000 riders to cross