National XCO # 2 – Fountains Valley, Pretoria

This last Saturday saw some of the countries top XC riders assemble at Fountain Valley once again to battle it out at the second round of the National XCO Series.

The Fountains Valley course, is a venue that over the years has been featured in our National XCO series every year, barring last year in my 10 year National racing career. As always the course is made difficult, not by it’s climbing or by it’s technical nature, but rather by it’s many many tight, flowing and sweeping corners. The result is a different kind of race, and will suit a rider that can carry speed around corners, while using the least effort. Having had good and bad performances here is the past, anything could happen at this race.

On the start line we were missing some local big boys by the likes of Burry Stander, James Reid, and Rourke Croeser who were all in Houffalize, Belgium for the second UCI World Cup event. We still had a strong field at hand though with Philip Buys, Marc Bassingthwaight, Oliver Munnik, Luke Roberts, and a few other strong U23 riders who were eager to show us Elite riders up.

Photo courtesy, Zoon Cronje.

The start was crazy, with a short 200m dash with a couple bends in it before hitting a technical uphill singletrack. Position was crucial. I managed a good start and entered 4th. A small lead group formed of Marc in front, followed by Philip, Luke Roberts, and then myself, with another u23 rider Sean Craig Silver hanging on the back. Halfway through the lap Philip flew off the front. It was his home track, and suited his style of riding down to the T. No one could follow. Instead we formed a small chase group for a few laps until Marc began to pull slowly off the front.

Photo courtesy Lee- Ann Cantrell

With the race being at altitude, I had to back off and listen to my body’s screams for oxygen to avoid a major explosion later in the race. I let a couple other riders do the pacing for a while until I felt better before making my move off the front. This proved a good tactic as I had no difficulty in getting away and stayed away for the remainder of the race. All I had to to was ride as smoothly as possible and avoid making any silly mistakes. Easier said than done!

Eventually the final 7th lap came to an end and I crossed the finish line comfortably in 3rd place, 3 mins behind overall winner Philip Buys(Team Contego), and 2 mins behind Marc Bassingthwaight. What a super ride!

I was really glad to have pulled such smooth ride out of the bag, and it was also encouraging to note that I didn’t have much fatigue only two weeks after riding the Cape Epic. All my equipment also performed seamlessly, and the tyre choice seemed to be perfect for the track in the form of a set of Geax Mezcal’s.

Next up on the calendar is the Karkloof Classic up in Hilton, followed two weeks later by a silly little race called African Championships, on a tiny little island called Mauritius 😀

Until next time,

Ride safe!