Cream of the crop at Mountain Bike race

The Cascades MTB Park in Maritzburg hosts a field of the world’s best endurance mountain bikers in the 11th edition of the event.

Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser would be aiming for his fourth World Champion’s jersey having already claimed victory in 2007, 2011 and 2013.

Challengers included compatriot Ralph Naef (2006 champion), Belgium’s Roel Paulissen (2008 and 2009), Alban Lakata of Austria (2010) and Greece’s Periklis Ilias (2012).

James Reid (Trek SA) and Kevin Evans (FedGroup ITEC) looked to represent the host nation’s strongest challenge while Rourke Croeser (Kargo Pro MTB) could also feature in the top 20.

Germany’s Karl Platt, Urs Huber and Steffen Thum, together with Colombia’s Hector Paez Leon, also intended making their mark.

Cross-country specialists Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic), Moritz Milatz (Germany) and Ralph Naef (Switzerland) had made the journey to South African shores and would no doubt consider themselves a part of the mix.

The women’s race is another mouth-watering affair as former winners and podium finishers aplenty were part of the world class field.

Although five-time and defending women’s World Champ Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) had not made the trip, former World Champs Sabine Spitz (2009) of Germany, Switzerland’s Esther Suss (2010) and Denmark’s Annika Langvad (2011and 2012) were in set to be in the line-up.

Last year’s runner-up Sally Bigham of Great Britain, European Champ Tereza Hurikova and current world numbers one, two and four – Eszter Dosa (Hungary), Alice Pirard (Belgium) and Milena Landtwing (Switzerland) – would join the former title holders.

Stellenbosch-based Swiss star Ariane Kleinhans, married to South Africa’s Erik Kleinhans, would be hoping her local course knowledge would help her better her current world ranking of sixth.

– Sapa