With a strong, XC focused training block up behind me; Paul's
mentorship helping me to believe in myself again, my Powertap finally starting
to show me some familiar numbers and a good race result at Nissan Trailseeker
#2 in Cullinan I felt confident heading to Mankele for SA XC Champs
Having pre-ridden the course on our training camp 2 weeks earlier
I was already confident on it and of my tire selection (Continental Race King
on the front and Maxxis Icon back) so after 2 laps; one to double check the
race lines and one to give my legs and lungs a good stretch it was time to head
to our accommodation and get feet up.
With so many of our riders racing Paul had decided not to race but
to play support role and quickly got stuck into maticulously preparing our race
machines for the next day.
Soon it was race day and I cannot remember when last I felt so
many nerves creeping in!
After completing my pre-race routine; warm up rub, USN supplements
and a few hard efforts on the bike I headed to the start line where I was
really impressed with the turn out. One of the biggest ladies fields I've seen
for XC!!
It was great to have Mariske back on the start line after being
based in the States for most of the year and we shared a few jokes trying to
calm our shattered nerves. A short race briefing and we were off in a cloud of
dust, I had a good start getting the whole shot and into the single track in
the lead the rest of the field hot on my heels. Candice passed me on the climb
going into the rocky technical section ahead of me Sam catching up to us
through the next few technical sections.
The course surface had become rough and lose in the corners but
the race lines smoother and more flowing in general and we flew through it soon
reaching the big drop off. Unfortunately I did not have the confidence to take it
with my injury and Sam overtook me as I went round on the chicken run. I chased
back reclaiming my 2nd place in the 2nd lap Candice now with about a 20sec gap.
Feeling the pressure I made a few mistakes and Sam again passed me again
forming a gap on the technical sections which I worked hard to try and close on
the climbs.
Going through for my 3rd lap feeling the effect of the hard racing
I gratefully grabbed my 2nd bottle of USN BCAA-Vitargo and made use of the
first flat open section to take in some Vooma gel.
The race situation remained the same for the next 2 laps, Candice
in the lead Sam 2nd and me chasing hard from behind. I was unable to make up
enough time on the few climbs and I knew
I was losing too much time not taking the big drop especially as the chicken
run became more rutted and slower through out the race. I was thinking I'd have
to take a flyer at it on my last lap if I couldn't get a big enough gap but
fortunately it did not come down to that.
Going into the last lap Sam had a 10sec lead on me and Candice
22secs. I caught Sam on the first climb and pushed as hard as I could to try
get enough of a gap before the drop. Catching Candice on the short steep climb
after the wooden bridge drop off was a surprise and I knew I would have to give
100 percent with no mistakes to keep a lead. Fortunately we were both taking
the 2nd chicken run and I got into the last single track section with a few
seconds lead. 1 slip out through a corner lost me some time but I came into the
last bmx section in the lead and gave everything I had left to the finish line
Candice on my wheel. I was super happy to take the win, one of my most exciting
race finishes for sure and a proper battle from start to finish with both Candice
and Sam in great form having raced in Europe and Candice preparing for
Olympics!
More overwhelming than my win was the support from everyone
throughout the race and all my supporters and friends waiting at the finish to
give me a big hug and words of congratulations!! All I can says is WOW and a
big heart felt thanks, you guys are truly special!
Enough about me, it was a fantastic and exciting day of racing for
all of our PYCycling atheltes all ourt hard work coming to fruition!
Catherine(Bizhub) finished 3rd in youth women, a great race for
her and big improvement on her last XC Cup result.
Amy(Decca/Ghost) 3rd in elite women and 3rd in the overall series
Andrea 7th U23 but close to finishing 5th had she not faded in her
last lap
Francois(USN) 2nd vet men and taking the overall series win
Marcel 12th youth men despite 3 punctures and a super exciting U23
men's race for Arno finishing 3rd half a wheel length behind 2nd place's Luke.
BIG Congrats to everyone!!
After a great day's racing all that was left to do was celebrate
and we did that in style having a fun and festive group dinner.
We ended our weekend with one of my all time favourite MTB rides
up to the Avalanche, back down it ending with the extremely technical mine
shaft. Now that's what I call real MTB
trails!
Thanks Mankele and to all the race organisers for a fantastic
weekend.
And a very special thanks to Paul and EpicSports for the super
race support and for helping me to believe in what a few weeks earlier seemed
to be the impossible!
Till next time
Yolande
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