Photo Epic: 2025 SRAM WC DH, Rd1 – Zevenwacht

21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey

A classic venue, easy-shuttling and a refreshed track – what a way to kickstart the season!

The first round of the 2025 SRAM Western Cape Downhill Series kicked off at Zevenwacht Wine Estate over the weekend. It was a full house of riders, support crews and spectators who got to enjoy the near perfect weather and a revamped track.

New for 2025 is the eMTB category and they were first to go up against the clock for Sunday’s two race runs. The eMTB category is an ‘open-class’ — anyone can enter it — and the organizers are treating it more as a fun event, without diagnostic checks. With a seemingly endless pipeline of youngsters starting Downhill Racing, once again the Youth and Junior categories were at full capacity. More than half the field of racers are between the ages of 12 and 22. The youngest rider on the day was just 8 years old and the ‘most-experienced’ racer, 60. Downhill is indeed a family sport.

By the time the Elite racing kicked off, the fresh track and sandy summer terrain had packed into lines of ruts with plenty of traction on offer. In the Elite Women’s race, 28-year-old Frankie du Toit from Stellenbosch maintained her winning streak from last season and took the wins by a healthy margin. In the Elite Men’s race, the legend Johann Potgieter held off a bunch of chargers to win by just 1.6 seconds. Riders now have just a few days to prepare for the second round of the series that will bring some flat-out racing to the steeps of The Spice Route Track, in Paarl on the 25th and 26th of January. For now, here’s your photo epic recap from the opening round at Zevenwacht, as captured by Chris Taylor.

21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Captain of the newly formed Unbound MTB gravity academy, Matt Lombardi is a man on a mission this year.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
8-year-old Neil Finley finesses through the new rock garden on his way to winning the Nipper Boys class.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Ethan Hunter has moved up to the Elite category for 2025 and would like to remind everyone he is riding for Giant Bicycles.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Rocking the win in the now very competitive Masters Men category, was Chris Nixon.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
He says he is not fit and hasn’t been riding but Philip van Schwalkwyk was on the gas all weekend and posted the third fastest time.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
eDH racing is a lot of fun and the organizers expect this category to grow very quickly.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Just 0.3 seconds off the win in the Sub-Vet class was Waldo de Wet.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Former Moto rider, Jake Van Schoor has succesfully transferred his skills to Downhill Racing, taking another win this weekend.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Trail builder, nice guy and the winner of the Sub-Vet class, Chris Wagner.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Dylan Wiggill floats over the Tin Mine on the way to eighth place in the Junior Boys category.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Fast and full on from top to bottom, the revamped track was a hit with all the riders this weekend.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Jaco Veldsman, absolutely crushing it for the win in the Vets Class.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
The skies were pretty and blue just about all weekend.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Now which pocket did I put my phone in? #NoHands
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Gerhard Hoepfner made the trip down from George for a weekend of shredding.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Another good ride from Sven Etsebeth to take third in Youth Men.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Fifth in Junior Men went to Xavi Gomes.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Having spent about a decade away from Downhill, Clint Elliot has returned to racing and added some serious firepower to the already competitive Masters Category. He seemed flawed by how good the track was, how professional the organization is and couldn’t stop talking about how slick the shuttles were. Welcome back bru!
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
The Pieter Venter signature – sideways and stylish! Piet took the win in the Junior Men.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Henlu Starke with a solid ride to third in the Sub-Vets class.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Seth Barnard has the formula for speed and will be a threat in the Elite category, this year.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
17-year-old Tricia Rossouw drops in for the win in Junior Women.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Fifth in Junior Boys went to Hout Bay’s Luke Futter.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
On vacation in South Africa, Anna Syrchina entered the race and took the win in the Senior Women’s category.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
It was another dominant win for Frankie du Toit.
21 january 2025, zevenwacht wine farm, SOUTH AFRICA | recap of the sram downhill mountain bike race at zevenwacht wine farm as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Pottie, nailed yet another win. What a career this guy has had. Well done Boss!

Full results here. // Looking for racing images? Purchase yours from the official photographer of the SRAM WC DH Series, Chris Taylor on info@christaylorphotography.co.za //


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