African Continental Champs and more...

Well it has been an good couple of weeks since I last updated. The major focus of these last few months has been the African continental champs which were held this last weekend in Nelspruit, near the Kruger National Park. I have been doing a few classic races in and around KZN to keep the racing miles in my legs and so far things seem to be working out all right. Also a good training camp down in Port Shepston with the Stander family (parents of international cycling superstar, Burry Stander) and the rest of the team have worked wonders with my approach to cycling, and all the other (often neglected) components of attaining success on the bike.

Giba Gorge MTB Race
Well this race is on my doorstep and my regular training ground, so I was racing to win. I got to sleep in a bit and arrive at the race feeling fresh and ready after a tough day of training the day before. The race started a little early and it was rather chilly in the morning, so the pace was 'easyish' over the first climb. The route comprised of two laps of around 22km, on mostly wide open climbs and flowing single track. Early on I managed to get into a break with Roan Exelby and David Leiman, the two Fullimput riders on their custom Morewood bikes. As we entered the first section of singletrack, local knowledge played in my favour. I took off down a technical piece and never looked back. I felt strong throughout the race despite losing my bottle early on. I came in around 4 minutes ahead of the second place David Leiman, and the entire race was quite positive.

I found a cool article about the race too. Check it out - http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global%5B_id%5D=24983

Safire Insurance Super Classic
Well after an eventful training camp at the Standers, including nutritional and training talks as well as some tough riding with Burry, the team headed to this super classic which was held at Baynesfield Estate just outside Martizburg. We were amped to race, as in the previous week we had done not much besides eat, ride and sleep. It was a good tester for the legs before the big event, African Continental Champs. On the menu was a fast 45km consisting of mostly wide open road and the occasional piece of semi flowing singletrack. I started hard, attacking from the gun and pushing the pace. At the KOM which was early on, I was pipped by Tavis Walker, ex-teammate and now riding for DCM Chrome, but we had created a gap to the chasers, teammate Arno du Toit and Jeep rider Craig Paul. Travis and I pushed the pace for the whole of the first 20 kms or so, but then things started going pear shaped. I lost pressure in my front tyre from either a puncture or from burping it (loosing air randomly) and when I stopped to bomb it, the valve shot off into the grass and was nowhere to be seen. I looked for 10mins or so and eventually found it and pieced it all together. I got going, but the race was lost and I chased hard to come in 5th overall, satisfied with the training, but not the bike behaviour. Oh well, that's how it often goes....

African Continental Champs
It was a good memory to return to the original national course, which I won earlier in the year. The course designers had evened out some of the climbs and cut out some of the sections of singletrack, bringing the lap times down to around 20mins or so. After a perfect pre-race meal on friday night with burry and co, I was ready to go the next day. Off the start grid, I timed the opening straight nicely and entered the singletrack first, with Adriaan Louw and Rourke Croeser (both DCM Chrome) right behind me. Up the first steep climb, and Rourke and myself created a small gap to a few chasers. We completed the first lap together and then disaster struck for Croeser midway through the second as he punctured and suffered further technical problems later on. From there I put my head down and gunned it. I knew the course well and it was a short race, with my time being a little over 1'20, 2 mins ahead of Adriaan. I was very happy with the result, and a huge thanks to certain people must be made. To Johann Wykerd, a coach and mentor who has helped me fantastically over the last couple of years. Also to Allegra Wykerd, Charles Stander as well as Charles and Linda Roberts for helping me out all the time.

here's a cool link and a different perspective - http://www.chainwheel.co.za/?p=210

Even better news is that I was selected for World Champs in Austrailia in the first week of September. Aus here we come:)

I'll put photo's up later... till next time,

Caio

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