New name, new venue for popular MTB race
The track at Shongweni is expected to be relatively non-technical, which should encourage riders of all abilities to take part.
THERE will be a new look, a new name and a new venue when The KZN Mountain Biking’s Lap Challenge Series kicks off on 18 February at Shongweni.
There are some fresh changes to the series, but the exciting, fast, action-packed racing is expected to be the same as always.
The “new” KZN MTB Lap Challenge Series is a revamped KZN XCO (cross country Olympic) series which has grown in popularity over the past few years and will make its first appearance of the year at a completely new, accessible venue. The track at Shongweni is expected to be relatively non-technical, which should encourage riders of all abilities to take part and a large field is expected to start the cross country season.
As well as the newer and younger riders who will be competing across all age groups from U11 nippers to juniors, there will be entries from U23 and elite riders, veteran age groups and the grand master over 60s.
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In the 2017 XCO Series, Stuart Marais was the dominant rider with a perfect result of three wins from three events. He will start 2018 with the aim of keeping his perfect record going. However, he could face some stiff opposition from some young up-and-coming riders, most notably Henry Liebenberg who last year twice finished second and came closest to putting pressure on Marais.
In the women’s events, veteran Natalie Bergstrom was the champion, but will be aware that she was unable to beat junior Tiffany Keep in 2017 and had the rising star been able to compete in all three events the overall result may have been different.
After the Shongweni event, round two will take place on 25 March at Aloe Park near the Lion Park, with the third leg wrapping up the series on 20 May at Cascades in Pietermaritzburg, before the provincial XCO Champs take place in Mazarat Park in Waterfall on 8 July.
Entries for all three series events and the KZN XCO Championships are all via ROAG: www.roag.co.za.
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