After a raised lockdown level disrupted the planned 2021 Mpumalanga Enduro Series during the winter, a double-header weekend of racing has been confirmed that will give Enduro racers a good reason to head to White River in early October.
By Sean Badenhorst
On Saturday 2 October, the third and final round of the shortened 2021 Mpumalanga Enduro Series will take place at the MTO Lowveld Trails at White River. That will be followed on Sunday 3 October by the 2021 Mpumalanga Enduro Championships at the same venue.
Photo: Phonix Capture
“Unfortunately, our plans for five rounds of the provincial series were affected by the government’s upgraded Level 3 Lockdown in winter. So we have had to find a way to wrap up the series and hold a provincial champs at a venue that’s able to host a top level event,” said Schalk Potas, Mpumalanga Enduro Series Race Director.
“We held a very successful Round 1 of the Mpumalanga Enduro Series at MTO Lowveld, White River in April. Those trails are also consistently maintained and ridden and, at such short notice, are the most appropriate venue to hold an event.
“We feel that wrapping up the series with a third round and following it up the next day with the provincial champs will give Enduro racers an incredible weekend of racing. Those that travel from other provinces will be highly rewarded for their commitment,” added Potas.
Photo: Phonix Capture
The last round of the Mpumalanga Series was Round 2, held in Nelspruit on 5 June. It also doubled as Round 2 of the South African Enduro Cup Series and attracted a strong field, with South Africa’s top male Enduro racer, Matt Lombardi taking the overall win.
“We are excited to see that there is now a Gauteng Enduro Series and hope that the growth of the discipline in that neighbouring province will see a bigger number of Gauteng racers travelling to White River for the racing on 2 and 3 October. We were careful to make sure there was no clash with the next rounds of the Gauteng Series and hope that each series will complement the other,” said Potas.
Mpumalanga Series Round 3 – Saturday 2 October
Full Enduro: 27km with 1100m elevation; Lite Enduro: 23km with 600m elevation
Entry cost: Full – R380; Lite R320
Registration from 06h00, racing starts at 07h00
Mpumalanga Championships – Sunday 3 October
Champs Enduro: 20km with 600m elevation
Entry cost: R380
Registration from 06h00, racing starts at 07h00
If you enter both days: Full – R650; Lite: R600.
Watch the Trail Awareness Crew Facebook Page for updates.
