Record entries and close racing bode well for the sport!
Last Sunday, the SRAM Western Cape Downhill crew ran a double header event that attracted a host of riders from Gauteng, KZN and Mpumalanga. It was the third round of the regional series that doubled up as round two of the National DH Series. The event had record entries — yes, Downhill racing continues on the up and up — and almost 10% of the field were rookies. As always, lens guru Chris Taylor was on hand to capture epic imagery for you to enjoy. Here’s a recap, – photo style!
A connoisseur of Downhill, Johann Potgieter was running hot laps all weekend and said he was happy with his 2nd place finish in Elites. You can bet your bottom dollar that next weekend, at the SA Champs, he’ll be gunning for the top step on the podium to retain his title.From KZN, Thies Beani is a newcomer to the unique Zevenwacht Track but quickly got up to speed. One small error in her race relegated her to second place in Elites. 11-year-old Peter Nelson boosts the Tin Mine gap jump on his way to second place in the Sprog Boys category. Another victim of the Tin Mine? By the way, that’s NOT going to buff out. Ever.
The Zevenwacht Downhill has been around for some years now, as I recall it first featured on the National Series calendar back in 2006, 18 years ago! The venue has attracted some big names in mountain biking over the years, including a few World Cup racers who have used it for pre-season scrub testing. What it lacks in corners, it more than makes up for in jumps and year-round riding conditions.
Arielle Behr, remember that name. She’s a 17-year-old who competes in the Junior Women’s category and has a natural flowing style that belies her pace. Luke Kirk, an 18-year-old from Gauteng is another Junior with sublime skills. Disappointed with his fifth-place finish this weekend, he’ll be wanting to climb the podium at next weekend’s SA Champs. We start them young these days! How about 8-year-old Seth Greybe-Smith who rocked his way down the track to secure third place in the Nipper Boys category? You go lad!Mountain bike skills coach and super nice guy Dreyer Bothma exits the rock roll and lines up the double. A regular at any gravity race in the region, Dreyer is always vibing good vibes and supporting fellow racers. Those rocks got pretty slick during the occasional rains that rolled through on Saturday and Sunday. No problem for Benjamin Nash who bashed through to take the win in the Nipper Boys category. Again, the fastest Junior on the weekend was Ethan Hunter. Moving from a Trail Bike to a big DH rig for 2024, Ethan is now really at home and comfortable on the bigger machine. Airing off the Rock Roll that featured on this track ‘back in the day’ is course builder Chris Wagner. Outside of this event, Chris has taken it upon himself to maintain the Zevenwacht Track and we all owe him a beer and appreciation for the digging and woodwork. Securing his first National win in 8 years, Stefan Garlicki was understandably elated with the result. It’s more than a race win. It’s a result that brings relief and justification for the many sacrifices it takes to compete at this level, and, in Stefan’s case, the ability to overcome multiple severe injuries. Well done Stefan. Newcomer to the sport (and already Deathgripping) is Jake van Schoor who not only stole the show in the Sub Junior Boys race, his time of 2min27 was good enough for 37th overall. Not bad for a 14-year-old rookie. Time for a DH bike there Jake? Nate Hall, son of SA mountain bike pioneer and legend, Jason Hall, made it down from KZN for the National. 15th overall in a stacked field on a track Nate has never ridden is not a shabby result. I’ve a feeling as we head to the steeper Spice Route track next weekend, the talented Nate will slide up the results sheet somewhat. Jayden Lang of All Mountain Co (the bike shop) is one stylish cat. Still working his way back up to speed after a recent injury – keep an eye on Jayden at the upcoming races. He’s got pace.Heels down and charging the wet rocks to the Sprog Boys class win is Tom Foerster. Back on pace and almost taking the win in the Junior Men category was Pieter Venter. This guy is one to watch next weekend at the SA Champs.Dani Botha, another visiting rider from Gauteng who was on the gas all weekend. Dani will be racing at least one World Cup this year, flying the flag for SA in the Junior Women class.It usually takes a season or two to settle into a new category, not so for now Elite rider, Philip van Schwalkwyk. PvS is riding so well lately and already bagging podiums at Nationals. Go boy!Austrian-based Saffer, Luke ‘Louis’ Davis is temporarily back in South Africa for a work project. Riding with a badly injured wrist, he still placed a credible 25th overall. Living near Schladming, one of the best tracks in Europe, I’ve a feeling his bike skills will shine through next weekend at Spice Route and put him further up overall. Trek’s Zander du Plessis sends the Tin Mine gap jump for a top 10 in Junior Men. Jack Schliemann inside lines the first rock garden.Visibly sandbagging in his seeding run, Keagan Brand applied the “5th gear wide open” Moto status to go a full 10 seconds faster in the race. That’s smart. Ben Kroukamp had the unfortunate experience of seeing his mate Luke Corbett suffer a painful injury on Saturday. Come Sunday, Ben had his race face on and rallied to 15th in the highly competitive Youth Men category. Nice work Ben! With healing vibes for Luke!!Dan ‘Dangerboy’ Fairbrother has ‘eyes up’ as he squashes the Tin Mine. Good form there pal.It was new bike day for Matt Lombardi who put the very factory-looking Slash straight onto the podium with a solid P5. Justin Victor keeping the front high as he inside lines the rock garden on the way to P3 in Sub Vets. Keep an eye on this old guy next weekend – he’s got ’10 000 hours’ in this game will no doubt race well at Spice Route on Sunday. Staying on her bike has been a challenge for Youth Women racer Christeleigh Bruwer. When she does, she wins. The morning rain cleared for finals and Dale Barnard calmly slotted his Specialized Enduro into first in the Master’s Men class. Zak Jones on the gas around the outside in the rock gardens. This was a rough line on entry but the exit speed it generates is often worth it. Zak is one of those riders in the younger categories who is already beating a lot of riders in the older age groups, regularly. Nice work Zak!World Cup racer Ross Kew airs into the Supercross Section of the Zevenwacht track, with style!!! A P10 result is not what Ross came for but I’ll bet everyone an ice cream that Ross is on the Elite podium at SA Champs on Sunday, with a medal. Keeping it low and taking another Elite Women win was Frankie du Toit of Durbanville. Rory Kirk has promised free scrub clinics to the entire field at SA Champs if he wins. Seriously, this guy has some of the best scrubs on a mountain bike I’ve ever seen. JS7 salutes you Rory. Chapeau to all involved. | *Click to enlarge
Looking for racing images? Purchase yours from the official photographer of the SRAM WC DH Series, Chris Taylor on info@christaylorphotography.co.za //
