Pretoria National XC # 5

Well this last weekend was that last of the National XC events for 2009. This race took place at Fountains Nature reserve, on the outskirts of Pretoria. As I am in the middle of exams, I flew up on Thursday night with my books for exams. One more week and then they're all over, so I guess that is a big positive. On Friday we went down to the track for a quick look and a test run and I was shocked. The track was unlike any other that I had seen (not that I've see that many:) comprising of 85% single track with little space to over take anywhere. It was very flat, a complete opposite from the world cup course. When it's very flat, it also means that there is no time to recover. 

Saturday was all too soon upon us and it was race time. Wearing my new colours, I got in a good warm up before our 15min delayed start time. I had a 3rd grid rank, which meant that I was the third rider to choose my place on the start line, but luckily still in the front row. Our start batch was larger than usual, with more than 40 juniors lining up. Then the gun went off and it was full speed ahead. The opening straight was a tar road and I was third into the first piece of single track, which in retrospect was not good. Rourke (Croeser, DCM Chrome) managed to pull away and I was caught behind his teammate, Adriaan Louw. After a bit of jostling for position, I managed to get my way past him and set off in pursuit of Croeser. Things were going well on the first lap, but I went out a little too hard and fell back a bit, conceding valuable time. I then crashed on the second lap in the most technical section and lost a bit more time. From then on I was a bit more careful managed to maintain the gap to third place. Up front Croeser had punctured and still his gap was big enough to stay ahead. 

Towards the end I realised that catching was a tall order and I stayed focused on keeping upright and maintaining position. I came in second, just under 2 minutes behind the winner, Rourke. I was super happy as it bodes well for selection for world cup in Australia in September. I'll put some photos up later. 

Official Results:

Junior – 6 laps
1 Rourke Croeser (DCM Chrome) 1:45:35
2 James Reid (Mr Price - SCOTT) 1:47:18
3 Ruan du Toit 1:49:38

On the brighter side, I forgot to mention that our team is sponsored by fast fuel, one of the best energy products out there. Check out their website at http://www.fastfuel.co.za/.

catch up later...

Karkloof Classic Festival and a change of sponsors

Well its been an eventful time since my last update, the world cup now seems like a distant memory, and a good one at that. I've been going through some good times and some bad times, but all in all, life is awesome. I still that ordinary kid involved in an extraordinary sport. First of all is a change of sponsor, as I am now a part of the Mr Price - Scott junior MTB team. Life in Motion, my previous sponsor was an awesome bunch of people, but was a stepping stone into the 'bigger league' teams like this one. 

Mr Price - Scott is a junior MTB team that is mentored by Burry Stander, who can simply be described as one of the most potent forces in mountain biking in the world. Mr Price as the primary sponsor needs no introduction. As a South African sport, clothing and household retail

 giant, they have been a personal sponsor to Burry for the last 8 years. The team ride Scott Bicycles, the superlight Scale 2009 series. Pics of the actual ride to be added soon...

Well with all the gear I was a set and secure for a bash at some of the classic races in the calendar. On the menu last weekend was the Karkloof Classic MTB festival, and what an event it turned out to be. The night race on Friday night was a complete laugh, and a whole different experience. I started well, in a big break containing all the DCM Chrome guys and at about the 4km mark things got out of hand. There was a massive puddle that we all crashed and skidded our way through, with only three people getting through unscathed. 

After crashing three more times, as well as getting lost a few times, I managed 8th overall and the first junior home. Tired, happy and very cold.

On Saturday I opted to skip the XC event in the morning, due to a slight flu that was worse that morning. In the afternoon I was all in for the Bell Sprint Shootout, a lapped race around an obstacle filled 400 or so meters. I was forth in the qualifing rounds, but the finals turned out to be a big disappointment. I crashed on the second lap coming out of the truck and the hanger was bent in a bad way. A lot of fun, but not quite the result I was looking for. Well done to my new teammate, Arno du Toit, who won the Junior shootout slightly ahead of a fast moving Brendon Davids (Jeep).

So it was full steam ahead for the 40km Aquelle Half-Marathon on Sunday. All the Junior racing was in the 40km, and what an action packed field we had. From the gun the pace was pretty relaxed, but that lasted about 1.5km and then the real racing began. On the first climb an elite bunch of all U18's formed, consisting of myself, Arno du Toit, Brendon Davids (Jeep), Luke Roberts (Maverick), Travis Walker and Adriaan Louw (both DCM Chrome). This was the bunch that stayed together the majority of the race, and there was little to separate us. Attacks were thrown everywhere, but nothing got more than a few seconds. Towards the last 15kms or so, Travis Walker showed his hand in a big attack, but we managed to bring him back.By now everyone was tiring and when Travis attacked again, the bunch blew. I clawed my way into second on the last big climb of the day and held the rest off for a satisfying result. 

Well done to ex-teammate Travis for pinning it. Adriaan Louw rounded off the podium, with teammate Arno arriving in 4th. It was a super tight race that could have gone anyone's way. 

Otherwise, its all eyes on next weekend's last XC National in Pretoria... Till then!