VAN ECK, KOTZE TOPS AT MPUMALANGA ENDURO SERIES ROUND 2

Willie van Eck and Julia Kotze won the Elite men and women’s titles respectively at Round 2 of the 2022 Mpumalanga Enduro Series, presented by Bike Market at the weekend. The event took place at a new venue, Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve, outside Lydenberg which proved to be a popular addition to the racing calendar.

Van Eck was fortunate to have three clear runs because he experienced chain drama on Stage 3 which saw him struggle to get going again, eventually running his bike across the finish line.

*Top five overall men from left: Christan Kirsten (fourth), Ruben le Roux (second), Willie van Eck (first), Denzil Lawrie (third), Justin Victor (fifth) | Photo: Culture Collective*

His main rival, Tyrone Anders, also endured mechanical problems which saw him go from overall title contention after Stage 3 to last place on the overall standings after the final stage. Ruben le Roux had four consistent stages which gave him second place overall, while Veteran, Denzil Lawrie, disrupted the Elite men somewhat with a third place overall.

“I had two good runs on Stages 1 and 2 but my chain dropped on Stage 3 and it was actually bent, so I had to run to the finish of the stage. I had to remove five links to do the last stage so was limited to only some gears for the last stage climb and race run. But I went ‘Full Dutch’ on that last stage and luckily had a super good run,” said Van Eck, who races for the Organic Athlete team.

*Veteran, Denzil Lawrie, on his way to third place overall. Photo: Culture Collective*

Van Eck won Stages 2 and 4, was second on Stage 2 and 18^th on Stage 4. Anders won Stage 1 and was second on Stages 2 and 3 and last on Stage 4. The Junior from Limpopo, racing a Marathon bike, is clearly a rising Enduro talent! Sub-veteran, Justin Victor, showed he can ride as fast as he can talk by winning Stage 3 and finishing fourth overall, behind Christan Kirsten.

*Four smooth runs gave Julia Kotze the overall victory in the women’s division. | Photo: Culture Collective*

After missing the entire Round 1 due to a broken derailleur hanger, Julia Kotze had a trouble-free event in Lydenberg with four smooth runs to win the women’s title overall and place 11^th overall.

“Fortunately I had a clean race with no falls and no mechanicals. But I have a spare derailleur hanger with me now, just in case,” smiled Kotze. “The event was excellent. The terrain reminded me a lot of Hakahana – long, rocky runs – and it was very spectator friendly.”

*The top five women overall, from left: Arielle Behr (fourth), Louise Kotze (second), Julia Kotze (first), Danika Botha (third), Ilse Roos (fifth). | Photo: Culture Collective*

“We’re really stoked to have taken Enduro racing to another new venue. Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve has been a hidden gem. But no longer, now that more riders know about the superb lines there,” said Schalk Potas of Trail Awareness Crew, the organiser.

“We’re gaining really good momentum with the Mpumalanga Enduro Series thanks to the support of all the sponsors and brands that get involved. We’re expecting it to keep growing as we build toward the South African Champs at Trailworx in Nelspruit in September, which is also a Enduro World Series qualifier,” added Potas.