MTB Blog

herewith the results for last week-end nationals in George:

>>>1-4 May, Dirtopia Mountain Bike Festival, presented by Spur Steak Ranches
Tarentaalkraal campsite near Greyton, Western Cape

SA’s original Festival is back and still has the most diverse schedule of any MTB event in South Africa.
As always the focus is on participation – there is a ride event for all abilities ages.
Where other events are built around a race, a Dirtopia Festival is built around the riding.

The Dirtopia Festival has always been about the great camping vibe, but remember that you can also just come in for a day to take part or spectate.

Dirtpass entries have been open for a couple of weeks and is still the best (!) value. All events, 4 nights camping, T-shirt goodiebag for only R550 VAT incl. (R400 for under 16’s)
Individual entries camping nights will open on Monday morning, 14 April to give Dirtpass participants a few more days to take the best sites! Remember that pre-entries save! This year you can pre-buy a 1-Day eventpass at R100. Go to www.dirtopia.co.za or contact the office for full details.

NEW: Online VIDEO and PHOTO Contest!!
Cash prizes for the best images and video clips so bring your cellphones and cameras and enough memory sticks!
After the fest you have a week to submit your clips and then the voting will commence.

A glance at the weekend:
>Cross-country events
– Enduro, (Sat) 75km, 40km 20km 15km Don’t miss this funride with various options and awesome scenery. Held on the Sat so that you can party with us later!
– Trophy Fun Race (Sun) 1-4 laps of 10km loop with singletrack.
– Nightrace, Thursday
– Hillclimb (Thurs) even beginners can give it a try – real fun to watch as well.
– Outrides (all weekend) non-timed events. Leaders wait for all and you will be split into groups. Thursday we go for lunch in Greyton!

>Clinics workshops
Thursday + Friday: Daily at 10am and 2pm
– Velogirl (beginners/women/kids)
– Epic Bikeshop (advanced)
– Dirt Jumping/Dual

>Gravity events
– Freeride – sponsored by Red Bull. Big Jumps, Hucks, Wallrides etc.
– Downhill – The old course is getting an extreme makeover. Practise all weekend, comp on Sunday afternoon
– Dual – under floodlights… two riders on the course with berms jumps
– Dirtjumping – the digger is going out this weekend to built some big ones.
– NEW! Super-D: XC-style DH Race on Friday – One shuttle for practice – one timed run..

>Kids
– Spur Steak Ranches will be there with jumping castles other entertainment.
– A full time creche has been organised to give the parents some time off! Please let us know if you are interested, so they know how many to prepare for and the age groups. Info on the web.
– short kiddies MTB track to play on! So yes, bring their little bikes. Sunday morning is a 10km kids funride as well.

>Entertainment
– River trips abseiling run by Intrapid on the farm
– Live band – still a surprise this year…Sat night party
– Filmshow – Friday night after the POLO spectacle
– Trials – SA’s largest trial competition…riders from all over will gather

Check the “events explained link” if you need more detail on events.

This Festival supports AMArider – The African Mountain Bike Association.
Go to www.amarider.co.za for more info to join (members get a R50 discount on Dirtpasses!).
AMArider is a non- profit organisation working for the growth of the sport!

To help cover costs we’ll be charging non riding day visitors (over 12) R20 to enter the site.
Want to experience the Festival by being part of the engine? Join the volunteer crew (FREE camping, food, T-shirt etc ) More info on the website.

Sponsored by: Spur Steak Ranches, Giant Bicycles, Falke and Capestorm

>>>Oh, and our last Full Moon hike of the season will take place on Delvera Sunday 20 April. Book today! Contact the Trail Centre for details.

We’re very excited about going back to Dirtopia’s “Roots” after a two year break
www.dirtopia.co.za

This just in from Release Centre:

THURSDAY 10 APRIL 2008

INJURED STANDER A DOUBTFUL CONTENDER

The injury that brought a premature end to his debut Absa Cape Epic has continued to plague South African cross-country mountain bike champion Burry Stander, jeopardising his chances of a good result at Round 4 of the Mazda MTN SA Cup in George on Saturday and hampering his build-up to the Olympic Games.

The 20-year-old Stander, who races for the Mr Price GT team, has been struggling for the past 10 days to recover from the Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome that forced him to quit the Cape Epic on Stage 3 whilst wearing the leader’s jersey.

“It’s really been a problem in that I can only ride for an hour and then the pain sets in,” explained Stander on Thursday. “It’s very frustrating because I have a World Cup race in Belgium next weekend and am not even sure I’ll be able to race it.”

The current South African and African champion, who is ranked 25th in the world, says that he’ll be on the start line in George, but will stop immediately should his injury flare up. Cross-country races usually last at least two hours.

“I’ll give it my best shot, but can’t be certain I’ll actually finish,” he said glumly. “Bicycle set-up expert, Dr Jeroen Swart, will also be using the event to see if there is any way he can fine-tune my position on the bike to lessen the likelihood of the injury flaring up,” said Stander.

The Iliotibial Band is the longest tendon in the body. It connects the hip to the shin and runs along the outside of the leg. The ITB Syndrome is an inflammation of the ITB, with an excruciating, stabbing pain where the tendon crosses the bony protrusion on the outside of the knee each time the knee bends.

Stander would normally be the outright pre-race favourite on Saturday, but his injury now sees the likes of Mannie Heymans (MTN Energade), Brandon Stewart (USN), Renay Goustra (Red Mongoose), Johan van Zyl (Mr Price GT) and Marc Bassingthwaighte (Trek Garmin) in the mix to contest the top step of the podium.

“I would say that Mannie is probably the favourite,” said Stander. “He won the Elite race at the nationals and is really going well at the moment.”

Heymans, at 36 a seasoned veteran, is enjoying a return to peak form following an injury-hampered 2006 and 2007. The multiple African champion, who is a two-time Olympian, will hope he has recovered from his 10th place finish at the recent Cape Epic for the lap racing format, which tests the riders’ intensity and speed rather than their endurance.
In the women’s category, the rivalry between South African champion, Amy Jane Mundy (Jeep) and African champion, Yolande Speedy (IMC Racing) will resume.

Mundy managed to retain her South African title when the two last met in Pietermaritzburg last month. However, Speedy was beset with an early mechanical problem and had to settle for second place after a brave fight back.

On Saturday, Speedy will be hoping for good form – and good luck – in her effort to return to the top of the podium for a useful confidence boost ahead of the first World Cup event in Belgium next weekend. The conditions are expected to be dry which will count against Mundy, who thrives on racing in the wet.

The event is the penultimate leg of the prestigious national series and takes place at Nelson Mandela University, Saasveld College. The full cross-country racing programme will begin at 08h00.

Roetes

Die roete van 40km strek oor gedeeltes wat wissel van sekondêre grondpaaie, veldpaaie en bosboupaaie in ‘n dennewoud. Die natuurskoon sal meer waardeer word aangesien hierdie roete strek tot bokant die voet van die Langeberg en die uitsig onvergeetlik sal wees.
Die nuwe 80km roete sal deelnemers ‘n unieke uitdaging bied, aangesien hierdie roete oor twee passe strek. Die eerste helfte word aan die suidelike hang van die Langebergreeks afgelê tot waar die Gysmanshoekpas, met asemrowende uitsig, jou tot in die Klein Karoo neem. Die laaste gedeelte kronkel tot by die R323 waarna Garciapas oorgesteek word tot by Oakdale.

Datum: 10 Mei 2008
Registrasie: Vrydag 9 Mei vanaf 18h00 tot 20h00
Saterdag 10 Mei vanaf 06h00 tot 07h00
Koste: R70 pp
Wegspring: 07h45
Plek: Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale, Hoofingang
Navrae: Kobus van Wyk by 072 141 3746
Epos: oakdale@intellect.co.za
Webtuiste: www.oakdale.co.za
Sluitingsdatum: Donderdag, 1 Mei 2008

The Bela Bela Classic takes place on 24 May 2008 in Bela Bela (the old Warmbaths). Cyclists can enter on www.cyclelab.com before the closing date on 18 May 2008.

event details:
Race Date: 24 May 2007
Province: Gauteng North
Venue: Waterfront Centre, just off the R101 from Pretoria, before the bridge.
Distances: 95km (R130-00); 63km (R80-00)
Starting Time: 95km at 07h00 and 63km at 07h05
Registration Times: Collect your number on 22 May 2006 at Centurion Cycles in South Street Centurion from 11h00 to 19h00, or on 23 May 2006 at the Waterfront Centre from 17h00 to 20h30, or the morning of the race from 05h00 to 06h30 at the Waterfront Centre
Cut-off Time: 11h30
Prize Money for Licenced riders: R20 000

This just in from Grevile:

Morning All,
With the 4th in the Mazda-MTN National MTB Series coming up this weekend in George, please find the current series points log attached. There are quite a few categories where the series remains wide open for the taking, -so important to get out and ride the George leg!

Regards,
Grevile

SA Cross Country Log-3.xls

SA Downhill Series Log -3.xls

at least that’s according to the news I received from the Dirty Double guys.
See below:

The first ever stage racing series and league is back. So get set for some great riding this winter as we travel to some of the best spots for mountain biking. Two days of riding on new trails designed especially for the series. Once again, enter a team to win points in the league or to try and win one of four spots at the 2008 Sabie Experience.

There are great category prizes and trophies for each event as well as the incentive to do all four to win your category and the league. Three of last year’s events remain and we welcome Dullstroom to the mix. Riders who complete all four of the events will receive a special memento.

Put these dates in your diary and get your friends and families to enter.

Greytown Dirty Double 17 -18 May, 2008

Dullstroom Dirty Double 28 – 29 June 2008

Akkedis Dirty Double 26-27 July 2008

Groot Marico Dirty Double 9 – 10 August 2008

All of this for just R580 per team, that’s just R290 per person. Two days, two riders, 100km – how can you not be there? Individuals are able to ride but will not be eligible for prizes, so no excuses. Enter here

WP Downhill 4-2008.xls

Embedded Video

Blogged with Flock

according to their web site, the 1sth four teams in for the last stage are:

1. Bulls first
2. Alb-Gold
3. Cannondale Vredestein
4. MTN Energade