The grand finale at Hellsend closed out an amazing season of racing.
With heavy rains forecast for Sunday, event organizers were snookered into squeezing a two-day event, into just a single day. It’s not that the riders, marshals and event staff are not wanting to get their shoes muddy – the decision to tighten the schedule into a single-day was motivated out of respect for the landowner and the track. Over the last decade, Hellsend Dirt Compound has been shaped into what is perhaps the best gravity venue on the continent. Racing through a maelstrom would do significant damage to the compound.
It was a beautiful day for racing!Always chomping to ride, Sven Etsebeth was one of the first onto the shuttle vehicles.Despite a couple years away from racing, former Youth World Champion Ike Klaassen hasn’t lost the speed or steeze. In the end, a casual 4th place in Elite Men for Ike is something to be stoked on.
The start list was littered with South African riders who have international experience: Ike Klaassen, Theo Erlangsen, Frankie du Toit, Matt Lombardi and Pieter Venter. Also in town to race were riders from Kenya, Namibia, Germany and Scotland.
Another powerful ride by Christo van den Heever secured 2nd place in Masters Men.14-year-old Sven Etsebeth (left) was just 3.7 seconds off the win in Sub-Jun Boys. Riaan Niemand claimed a solid 4th. | *Click to enlarge
Onto the track then. Much of the focus during the day was on the new rock garden created specifically for this event. A mostly straight chute strewn with rocks, boulders and powder. The brave hopped and floated through it, most rolled it. What Downhill Bikes and riders take on these days is mind-boggling.
Alexander Odendaal had good speed, ending the day 3rd in Junior Men.The Hellsend Track is not lacking in gradient. | *Click to enlargeIt’s been a busy season for Pottie. Lines coach at the World Cups for the YT Mob, on his off weekends he did a few races in Europe and of course, he is a new Dad to twins.
Another key section of the track was the exit from the rock garden (above) and the approach to the flow section. The compounding impact of carrying speed into the faster part of the track was a key consideration. Those that got it right, were visibly faster into the flow line.
The young women are up for the challenge – and fast! | *Click to enlargeAndries van Eeden, finding the grip and rallying to 2nd place in the Vets Class.5th and just 6.8 seconds back in Youth Men is the up-and-comer, Kai Jansen van Vuuren. The fastest bike wrench (or is it technician?) on the day was Hellsend’s Jordan de Goede.5th in Elite is a fine result.
Into the afternoon and with the fast shuttles Hellsend offers, most of the riders I spoke to felt they had sufficient time to get to grips with the track and were ready for seeding. After a flurry of morning practice, Theo Erlangsen and Frankie du Toit dominated the Elite categories in seeding.
Sprog Boys class rider Luka Overweter rallies the rock garden.The top road gap attracted a lot of interest from spectators and riders. | *Click to enlargeMatt Lombardi threw down a hell of a run on his new machine.Rocks + powder + dappled light = GNAR.Road gap sends! | *Click to enlargeDuran “the Excavator” van Eeden looked devastatingly dangerous all day but a bobble in the race run ruined his shot at the podium.
By mid-afternoon a gusting wind signaled the inclement weather was approaching. The biggest impact for the riders was a crosswind at the top road gap. All the ‘boosters’ were wondering whether to continue jumping it, or lose perhaps as much as 5 seconds by rolling around it.
Red Bull Hardline shredder and World Cup star Lou Ferguson (Scotland) is in SA for some off-season R&R and joined everyone for laps in the morning. Frankie du Toit, on a heater and taking the win in Elite Womenwith a time that put her in 16th overall.Pieter Venter – young, fast and first in Junior Men. Perhaps what’s more important is this guy always seems to be having a lot of fun on the bike. Nice work Pieter!3rd place for Pottie this weekend – just 2.1 seconds off the win. Dad ain’t done!Matt Lombardi, 2nd place on the day and only 1.4 seconds off the win. Time for a onesie?Fastest on the day? Theo Erlangsen. The guy can stay low or pull to pop high and long (see next image) when he decides to. Further down the track, away from where most spectators stood, race-winner Theo Erlangsen was the only rider repeatedly *quadding the four-pack. A truly impressive move.Congratulations to all the riders. | *Click to enlarge all the podium images
Despite the schedule changes due to changing weather conditions, it was an epic day of racing. Congratulations to all the riders and category champions. With the 2024 regional season now done and dusted, we start the countdown to the 2025 SRAM Downhill Series.
A big shout out to all the staff and volunteers for another well-organized day at the races.
Full resultshere. // Looking for racing images? Purchase yours from the official photographer of the SRAM WC DH Series, Chris Taylor on info@christaylorphotography.co.za
