ASG Academy achieves at the MTN National Marathon series #3 in Clarens.

Last weekend the third leg of the MTN National Marathon Series took place in Clarens. Some of the best riders in the country descended upon the quaint town to battle it out for valuable UCI points up for grabs.

Riding in the Academy colours in the Marathon was Paul Cordes, Arno Du Toit, Marcel Marais, Edwill O’Niell and Amy McDougall. In the Half marathon it was Jacques Pretorius and Danielle Rheeder.

The racing was fast and tough, the majority of the course was made of district roads making it a tactical race and a strong headwind added to the challenge.

Paul showed the “laaitjies” a thing or two when he crossed the line 5^th overall and 2^nd sub vet in a time of 2:54:44. Arno achieved a bronze medal in the strongly contested U23 category and came 8^th overall. Marcel was 5^th U23 and Edwill 6^th U23.

Amy McDougall came 3^rd overall in the ladies race and 1^st senior lady.

In the half marathon, Jacques Pretorius took a wrong turn but still managed a top 10 finish overall and 8^th in the junior category. Danielle came 2^nd in the junior ladies category.

Then last week Thursday was the monthly ASG night race at Rosemarry Hill. This is such a nice event and gives some really fun variety to normal racing. Our guys did well taking 2^nd to 5^th in the men and Amy winning the women’s event.

Then for some variety Nicolas Popich took part in the SA Duathlon champs in Potchefstroom. He says that he battled in the beginning to find any sort of rhythm but fought back bravely to end 5^th in the juniors narrowly missing out on a SA team spot for world champs later this year. 

The Academy and its members’ hard work is paying off as the athletes continue to achieve consistently in these high profile races, working towards greater goals and helping each other along the way.

Then in some more news is that next week we will have a first for the academy with Arno Du Toit heading over to Germany and then Austria to race in two World Cup events in the U23 category. His progress and consistency has been fantastic over the past year and now it is a great opportunity to give him exposure to the top level of international cycling.

Then for the rest of the riders there is round 3 of the xco Provincials and National xco series at Thaba Trails in the next two weeks. Also in two weeks is round 1 of the Nissan Trailseeker series which also attracts some top level racing.

Until then, happy trails.