WITH four wins from four attempts at the Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival’s STIHL Enduro, Tiaan Odendaal’s absence this year will pave the way for a new winner at the event when loyal enduro riders take on one another on Saturday, 26 May.
Odendaal has retired from competitive mountain biking following a successful career on the local racing circuit. This news hands the riders that sat in Odendaal’s shadow the chance to get their name on the winner’s trophy.
One such rider will be Tim Bentley. He has been a stalwart on the national downhill scene and is looking forward to taking on this year’s Enduro track.
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“I would say that the Karkloof track is right up there with the best in the country,” he mentioned. “There are some big mountains and the stages are a lot longer than your normal enduro stages, like six or seven minutes. They are a bit harder than other tracks but it is super flowy and fast which is what I really enjoy.”
The 2018 showdown promises to be particularly exciting as the discipline of enduro is enjoying a boom time in KwaZulu-Natal, with races attracting large numbers.
“We have seen enduro grow from about 60 riders to around 180 riders at events which is great to see. The reason for the growth, I think, is that it provides riders with cool middle ground between cross country and downhill. It’s a bit easier than cross country but it not as hectic as downhill and it has such an appealing social element to it as well. The tamer downhills mean that you don’t have to be a professional downhill rider to enjoy it and the relaxed climbs between stages means that there is time to catch your breath and enjoy the company of friends,” Bentley said.
For more information visit www.karkloofmtb.co.za.
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