South Africa’s top Enduro racers are set for a bushveld showdown at Round 2 of the Cycling South Africa Enduro Series, which takes place at Summerplace Game Reserve in Limpopo on Sunday 9 July 2023. Winners of Round 1, Keira Duncan and Julia Kotze, have both entered and will start as favourites at an event that will test both skill and endurance on a six-stage course designed by Summerplace land-owner and mountain biker, David Baber.
The route will cover 32km with 850 metres of ascent. The first four stages are all new and built on the same south-east facing slope, which offers superb vistas of the Waterberg Biosphere in which Summerplace Game Reserve is located. Stages 3 and 4 are relatively long by South African standards and the final two stages are two of the original stages at the venue, which are favourites among regulars.
“Nothing wrong with long stages! I’m not as fit as I’d like to be, but I’m looking forward to racing the new longer stages at Summerplace for sure,” said Duncan this week.
The terrain comprises a mixture of sharp, rocky ridges which have been used to create rock gardens, roll-downs or drop-offs; and hardpack soil, which is currently somewhat loose and sketchy in the dry, winter season, making tyre pressure selection a key factor for race day.
“With such varying terrain it’s hard to get an ideal tyre set-up, but selecting a relatively strong tyre and making sure pressures aren’t too low is important. I’m going for a fast-rolling, aggressive tyre for grip and will possibly run a slightly harder pressure than normal to avoid pinch-flats,” said Duncan.
With a number of gravity racers currently in Europe, Duncan’s list of rivals is shorter than normal. He is likely to find his biggest opposition coming from North West’s top racers, Wade Prinsloo and Christan Kirsten, both winners of provincial series events in recent weeks.
Other overall contention is likely to come from snappy age-category racers, including national Sub-veteran champion, Bryce Munro, Gauteng Veteran champion, Danny Fowler, Gauteng Junior champion, Divan van Straaten and Western Cape’s top Youth racer, Luca Zietsman.
Because Gauteng province lacks gravity-friendly race venues, the event also doubles as Round 3 of the Gauteng Enduro Series, presented by Suzuki. Kotze has won both rounds of the series so far and will be difficult to beat at Summerplace. Her main rivals are likely to be KwaZulu-Natal Junior, Amber Cole, Limpopo Juniors, Carla Janse van Vuuren and Tashane Ehlers and South African Master’s champion, Monica Glover.
The Lite Event features four stages and will be contested by Sprog and Nipper categories.
Online entries are open and can be done on the Cycling South Africa website via this link. You need to have a CSA Licence to enter.
Summerplace Game Reserve is giving the fastest overall male and female in the Full Enduro each a two-night stay valued at R13000 each at Yorks View Lodge (sleeps up to 12). These can be redeemed in the months of January, June or November 2024 (excluding public holidays and long weekends). T&Cs will apply.
In terms of accommodation for the Enduro SA Cup event, Summerplace Game Reserve is already fully booked. However, there are a number of nearby accommodation venues. Contact Summerplace Game Reserve reservations via WhatsApp 083 3025123 to request the venue list.
There will be shuttles running on Saturday 8 July for riders to practice the four new stages (with the biggest climbs). Shuttle passes will cost R150 per rider. Meals will also be available for purchase on Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July. To book meals and shuttle passes, please send a WhatsApp message to the Summerplace number 083 3025123 before Monday 3 July 2023.
For more information, join the Gauteng Cycling Gravity Group on Telegram, here; or contact Paola Damilano on 0832523752 or paola.damilano@me.com
