Photo Epic: SRAM Western Cape Downhill | Rd 4, Paarl

24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey

Paarl hosted the fourth round of the SRAM Western Cape Series over the weekend.

Paarl never fails to deliver exciting racing and some alterations to the race track by Connor Finnis, a new speed trap and changing conditions made for an incredible weekend of racing. Fresh off their European racing stints and eager to make an impact were the likes of Theo Erlangsen, Matt Lombardi, Frankie du Toit and Fourie van Wyk. Despite taking place just one week after SA Enduro Champs, close on 100 riders were entered – with the youth categories continuing to grow – which is a testament to the organizing body, headed by Helen Erlangsen, who do a sterling job putting on these world-class events. Follow the action through our photo-style recap.

24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
The secret to the world-class grassroots racing we are seeing at SRAM Western Cape Downhill? A hardworking volunteer committee that is supported by local businesses. Thank you one and all.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Novel Ford Paarl kindly supplied shuttle vehicles for the weekend. | *Click to enlarge
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Shuttling in style!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
A few changes to the track, split times and a speed trap generated a lot of discussion around line choice and strategy. Roxy Baynes (right) took an easy P1 in the aero game.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
The ever-impressive 13-year-old Sven Etsebeth took the win in Sub Junior Boys, with a handy 6-second margin. Sven’s secret is twofold; outstanding technique and an unrelenting love for bikes.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Johann Potgieter, multiple SA Champ is now 36-years-young and still riding fast! So fast!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
The ruts were deep!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Great to see the 2023 Trans Madeira and SA Enduro Champ Matt Lombardi in Paarl taking potshots at the 200mm specialists.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Floating through the ruts is Pieter Venter, first in Youth Men and an impressive P4 overall.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Luke Futter, P4 in his class and only 8 seconds behind his uncle Peter, who races in Vet Men. No pressure Peter!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Liam Coetzee threading the needle to P4 in Junior Men.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
After hitting the ground in practice Christeleigh Bruwer dusted herself off and took P1 in Youth Women.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Theo Erlangsen, fresh from another successful World Cup campaign dropped in to turn the heat up.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Ethan Hunter, the fastest Junior on the day also bagged P2 overall. What a pinner.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
10-year-old Rudolf de Lange railed to a P2 in the Sprog Boys class.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Lacking bike time he says, Peter Futter ‘did a chilled cruise’ to P2 in Vet Men.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
How about this shot from Chris Taylor? Riders, don’t forget to reach out to him to buy your own package of race images. christaylorphotography.co.za
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
It was 15-year-old Luke Corbett’s first downhill race and by all accounts, he seems hooked.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Corné Crous charging to P61 in the overall.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Pieter Rossouw, single speed, 26er and a P1 in Vet Men. Talk about keeping it real.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Course markers did well with this split-line turn. Lombardi liked the outside choice.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Sections of this track have been raced for many years and require absolute precision to stay on the right inch of dirt.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Fourie van Wyk, now riding for Commencal, hucks the high-pivot into the jank.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
12-year-old Luc Rossouw is yet another young speedster starting to show real talent at DH. P1 in Sprog Boys and P30 overall. This guy is quick!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Precision is the name of the game here at Paarl. An inch or two offline and the snippers await.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Zak Jones – always on the gas!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
P1 in Elite Women? None other than Frankie du Toit.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
An early crash took Jack “the Styler” Schoonraad out of the racing. Heal up quick Jack!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
The tracks are getting rough and DH bikes seem to be making a comeback. The extra travel and purpose-built geometry are clearly advantageous.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Downhill legend Dale Barnard was just 3 seconds off the win in the Masters.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Lian de Jager, tucked!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Ethan Hunter hucks up the camber on the inside option at the split.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
P1 in Sub Vets went to Chris Wagner.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Pottie rode the inside option and Theo the outside. What a cool feature. | *Click to enlarge
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Fastest at the speed trap. Fastest time of the day. There was no stopping Theo today. 2.5 seconds up on everyone here in Paarl is a huge margin – and the youth love seeing him race here in SA. Well done bru!
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Elite podium from left: Matt Lombardi, Theo Erlangsen and Johann Potgieter.
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Congratulations to all the riders! | *Click to enlarge

Click here for the full results. | Big shout out to all these brands that support SRAM Western Cape Downhill. RockShox, SRAM, Leatt, Kamikaze, All Mountain, TCS WiFi, Pyga, Potties Coffee, Armour Ride, cSixx, Novel Ford Paarl, Uitsig Bikepark and Paarl Trails.

24 october 2023, paarl, western cape, south africa | results and recap of the sram western cape downhill mountain bike race in paarl as published on bike network by myles kelsey
Keep that throttle wide open and we’ll see you all at Hellsend for the season finale and WC Championship race on the 4th and 5th of November.

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