Rhebokskloof Wine Estate and the Bike Fest Paarl event played host to the season opener for the Western Cape Enduro. Magically, Friday’s hot, dry and loose trail conditions swiftly shifted to hero dirt courtesy of summer downpours, in the hours before the race start.Here’s your photo-style recap of the action.
| Words: Myles Kelsey, Images: Rob Ward |
Logistics guru Christiaan Steffens handles the registration for over 100 riders whilst dealing with all kinds of ‘race organizer algorithms’ that pop up on raceday.The committee is not a one-man band. Frankie and Daryn elected not to race today so as to keep things running smoothly.Have you seen this man bunny hop an eMTB? Pure Paarl Krag right there. Nice one Fourie!Corbin Mann won the previous round here at Rhebokskloof and is a threat at any gravity event in the Province.Bringing Western Cape Enduro to a tamer venue opens the welcome mat to the rookies. And there were lots of newbies taking up the challenge.As the rain stopped, the smiles came out. Nobody wants to be out on the trail in a deluge. Riders briefing: “Follow the black arrows on white boards….”A newcomer to the Rhebokskloof trails but not a gravity rookie at all; Seth Barnard opens stage one with some moto steeze. Frans-Johann Smit reaches for the anchors.P34 in the overall for Rupert Taljaard.Chris Groeneveld sets up wide – like a pro.P18 for the pinner, Jayden Lang today.P1 in Senior Women went to Robyn Emslie.Henk Van Huyssteen, keeping it low and aero on his way to P6 in the Masters.You’ve got to have a good time when shredding. Especially if you’re a viper.Gina Nixon took the win in the eMTB category.It’s not Gina’s first rodeo.Those shoes! So hot!The Steenkamp Sequence#. | *Click to enlargeRecently crowned SA DH Champ (Youth Men) Alexander Jonker took an impressive P9 in the overall today. There were plenty of shorter travel machines on track today. Around 120 to 150mm of travel was best.Keeping the speed high on flatter sections requires brawn and smart pacing.Chrisman De Jager gets stomping.P1 in Grand Master Men went to Malcolm Estment.Lian De Jager, P4 in sub junior – Lites.Welcome to Enduro Elizna Kleynscheldt. We hope to see you at the next round. Depending on your pace, stage one was 6 to 10 minutes long. That’s big!Chrissy Bruwer gets the tagging right. About that save on stage three Chrissy – dit vas amper! Michard Meets – just 1 second off the fastest time of the day. A semi-slick would have done it.Tara-Lea gets into the flow.Patrick Morewood of PYGA Bikes, on the limit(er) to a P5 overall.The big circuit wasn’t all flow trails…Elizna lines up the chute.P2 in Vet Women went to Caroline Krog.Stuart Krog nabbed P8 in eMTB Men.Focus is required.Alec Retief – sending it!Dale Barnard, P35 riding blind on a big bike is not a bad day out for the *youngster.Final stage frothery.Altus Rossouw – pinned into P30 overall.Full attack mode secured youth men rider a P7 in the overall. Well done Luca.Cheers to all involved for a good day out!Cheers to everyone involved. See you at the next round, Jonkershoek, 23 April. | *Click to enlarge.
Podium shots and action images are available to purchase from Rob Ward. ward.photography@hotmail.com | Results here
