Elite Men
Being right there with all the top MTB riders in the world was just great. To be so close to all of the action and to see them speeding around the track really makes for a great day.
Driving into Houffalize from Nadrin I was sure I saw JP Pearton cycling into town. Once I was actually walking through the village I bumped into him. He was there on his own and was quite happy with his 80th slot in the start chute. Not bad seeing that there were about 200 riders. I then also saw Burry Stander in the start chute. He had a very good 65th starting position. All the top riders were there. With the programme in my hand I could look up the rider’s numbers to see who they were. I of course recognised the names of the riders that performed well at the Cape-Epic. It is great to see that Burry finished 32nd. Just a week before he finished 5th at the Sea Otter Classic in California.
For the full results see World Cup results.
Winner of Women’s Elite XC in Belgium last week-end
Ren Chengyuan
at last!
17 days later and I am back at home. Now at last I can share more of my Houffalize experience and upload some photos.
The Saturday racing ( last Saturday) was for all the racing classes (except for the elite men and women) as well as for the the non-registered riders and for training for the pro’s for the Sunday.
The vibe in the town was simply great and of course I regretted very much not having had my bike there.
On Saturday afternoon it was the 15km drive through about 4 picturesque villages to Nadrin to a little family run hotel where we stayed for the week-end. Upon arriving there, we found 22 members of the Swiss cycling team tuning their bikes next to the pool. While we enjoyed some fancy chicken and mushroom dish for dinner that evening, the riders sat at one long table eating pasta, bread and drinking water.
Later on that evening all the guys were hanging around the pool table.
Anyway, on Sunday it was back to Houffalize for the elite events. The ladies event started at 11h00. It was great to be so close to all those top cyclists. Seeing that all the press guys where there with their cameras in the riders’ faces, I didn’t feel bad using my little “mik en druk” electronic camera.
I tried to move around the accessible sections of the track where I could get good pics.
Seeing Gunn-Rita at the start, during the race and afterwards at her team tent was also a great bonus.
When I took the picture of Ren Chengyuan at the start, I never imagined that she would actually win. What a win it was! She beat Gunn-Rita by one second! Well, it’s a first for China and I am sure something that every-one will be watching out for, especially seeing that Chinese women also took the 5th and 7th positions. Margarita Fullana of Spain was third. For the full results (men’s as well) see nissan-ucimtbworldcup.com/en/Results/
MTB world cup: part 1
Well, what an experience it has been to be at the 1st XC World Cup for 2007.
The little village of Houfalize was totally taken over by the mountain bikers. The roads leading into the village were all closed off and I had to park outside town and then walk in.
The town lies about 160km south of Brussels. We hired a car and after about an hour we decided to leave the highway to travel on the small country roads. The scenery is absolutely amazing with winding roads through a the forest. Every 10km or so there is a small village with old stone houses right on the right. We counted about 10 to 40 house per village with most not having any type of shop. The road leading up to Houfalize runs along a river and as one gets closer to the Ardennes mountain region, there are numerous camp sites right on the river.
The weather was fantastic with temperatures between 25 and 20 degrees.
More to follow….
What is a citybike?
at the ATM last night, in Reims, while withdrawing some euros, I saw a guy with a mtb bike. Noticing the extra thick tyres though and the fact that it had no gears, ie. single speed, I assumed it to be a trail bike. I then complemented the guy on his nice trail bike. He quickly pointed out to me that it was in fact a city bike. Oh, I said, and please tell me what the difference is?
You see, he said, a city bike can do higher jumps than a trail bike. Obviously I noticed the suspension but it did not register. So, that was my 1st mtb lesson in France. As I learn more, I will be sure to pass it on.
WP update (*from Paris*)
WP XC Cup #3 Buitenverwachting 14-15 April
Buitenverwachting is in Klein Constantia Rd, close to Tokai. From the M3, take the Ladies Mile offramp. Turn left into Ladies Mile and Left again into Spaanschemat at the traffic light. Right into Klein Constantia on top of the hill after Peddlars. The estate is about 2km down Klein Constantia on the left.
Practise and registration on Sat from 10 – 4 and racing on Sun from 8:30. Late registration only until 7:45pm on Sun
There might be some thorns about, so remember the slime and liners if you’re not using Stan’s.
DH: Zevenwacht work day
Fixup at Zevenwacht from 9am an Sat. Meet at the finish area of the track at the jumps – there will be signs from the estate entrance. Mostly jump fixing, but also a little pruning and carpentry. Please bring buckets and watering cans along. Phone me on 083 407 9657 for directions.
Cape Town National
Please keep in mind that we are looking for sponsors for the National, Mazda is no longer supporting the series. If anyone in the marketing / advertising field could assist us with our advertising campaign or has any contacts we could follow up on, please get in touch. We are also looking for prizes etc.
Off to Europe
For the next 2 weeks I will be roaming around in France and Belgium. It is going to be Disneyland, Champagne ( staying in that region) Antwerp, Belgium chocolates and then the highlight: I have booked the last room in the village of Houffalize in Belgium. This is the venue for the 1st UCI Cross Country MTB world champs of 2007 that will take place on 21 and 22 April. Hopefully I will be able to mingle with the pro’s. I will not be taking a bike though….
In the days leading up to that I will try and get a feel for MTB in Europe and post as often as I can.
Till then, keep it dirty!
Da Big Induna
Start your planning for this exciting event in Hazyview on 16 June.
This event is part of the Mazda MTB series and also the once-off SA Champs. They however don’t cater for the pro’s and experts only and will have a number of different distances and events.
On the Saturday they will host the 75km Mazda event that will double up as the SA marathon championships. In addition there will be a 45km and a 15km ride.
Then there’s the dirt jump competition on Saturday as well. Something to try if you have never done so, otherwise just good to see how crazy some guys can get.
On Sunday there’s a downhill race as well.
Their web site Induna Adventures really provides a lot of detail about the event, more than most sites. You can see route maps in 3D Google maps, get the whole week-end programme, listing of restaurants and accommodation in the area and enter online.
One BIG plus: the first 500 riders will receive a cycling top with their entry. No cheap T-shirt and no extra charge.
I will ask Jaco Lubbe, the organiser to update us with more details as and when they become available.
Lost bike
While on my weekly run on Bloubergstrand yesterday, I picked up this bike frame that washed out onto the beach. It is a steel frame, so I am surprised it even made it onto the beach. Anyway, if you lost a bike frame in say the last 5 years or so, you are in luck.
Please send me the make, model, original colour and serial number and we can arrange for the return of your frame.
You may need to get hold of a sandblaster and welder to do a little bit of work on the frame. Notice the shells and stones attached to the frame.
If no-one claims it, I will put it on auction. Any offers?
