The start, finish and timing tents of the 2017 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Championships were situated in the middle of the forests of Cascades MTB Park, which provided for the riders and spectators a change up of scenery but exactly the same vibe that the locals never fail to bring to the racing. The weather was glorious in its med-twenties and a slight breeze kept the riders cool while they peddled to the stage starts on the first day of July.
Sam Bull and Sabine “Beani” Thies claimed the fastest respective overall man and woman on the day.
In the Elite Men’s race, Bull took the top honours, with Christopher and Jonathan Philogene taking the respective second and third places to round off the podium.
When chatting about her day, Thies said: “I really enjoyed stages one and four the best. It was really fun. I fell on stage four but got back up quickly and did not waste too much time. I am really happy with the way things turned out.”
Thies, who won the Youth Women’s category congratulated all of those who came out to race, and gave a shout out to her sponsors (GM Cycles, Foxhead SA, Specialized Bicycles, Blu Gel, Dirt Junki for their help this season. “Thank you for making it possible for me to be able to ride,” she added.
Thies heads to the KZNMTB Provincial Downhill Championships at the same venue on Sunday 2 July.
She said: “The track is slightly shorter than normal but the organisers have added some fun sections in Cloud Nine that I have never ridden before. But it will make for an interesting race. I’m looking very forward to racing.”
Keira Duncan who also placed third overall and thoroughly enjoyed his race won the Junior Men’s category. The podium was rounded off with Sharjah Jonsson in second and Liam Read in third.
In the Sub Veterans category, Chris Pearton and Kathryn Fourie claimed the respective Men’s and Women’s gold medals, and the Veteran’s titles went to Craig Seaward and Sonja Engelbrecht.
Race organisers mentioned that they were looking forward to the Downhill Championships on Sunday, and were thrilled about the sunny weather predicted.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS FOR KZNMTB PROVINCIAL ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIPS (SATURDAY 1 JULY 2017)
Overall Men
1.Sam Bull 13:21
2.Christopher Philogene 13:29
3.Keira Duncan 13:31
4.Jonathan Philogene 13:40
5.Sharjah Jonsson 14:08
Overall Women
1. Sabine Thies 15:40
2. Kathryn Fourie 17:18
3. Amy-Jane Mundy 18:09
Elite Men
1. Sam Bull 13:21
2.Christopher Philogene 13:29
3. Jonathan Philogene 13:40
Junior Men
1.Keira Duncan 13:31
2.Sharjah Jonsson 14:08
3.Liam Read 15:55
Youth Men
1.Connor Finnnis 14:41
2.Kayle Seaward 14:54
3.Sean Westerdyk 16:35
Youth Women
1. Sabine Thies 15:40
2.Charne Dreyer 20:16
Sub Junior Boys
1.Jordan Anastasis 17:56
2.Kyle Brand 19:08
Sub Veteran Men
1.Christopher Pearton 14:21
2.Andre van Aarde 14:47
3.Andy Noble 15:19
Sub Veteran Women
1.Kathryn Fourie 17:18
2.Amy-Jane Mundy 18:09
Veteran Men
1.Craig Seaward 15:10
2.Devlin Fogg 15:20
3.Tyrone Pinnoy 15:49
Veteran Women
1.Sonja Engelbrecht 18:56
Master Men
1.Alastair Brand 16:47
2.Dave Lees 20:09
3.Philippe Moretonas 20:10
Grand Master Men
1.Ashley Nesbitt
Sprog Boys
1.Ross Kew 16:41
2.Keagan Brand 16:50
3.Nate Tanner Hall 17:30
Sprog Girls
1.Georgia Finnis 34:35
Nipper Boys
1.Vaughn Preston 23:48
2.Cullum Finnis 27:06
Source: KZN Cycling
