Thaba Trails kicks off SA Cup Enduro Series

johannesburg: the opening round of the 2023 south african enduro mountain bike cup took place at the thaba trails mountain bike track in gauteng as featured on bike network

Thaba Trails in Gauteng kicked off South Africa’s National Enduro Series, hosting the SA Cup opening round and doubling as a Gauteng provincial.

The event saw approximately 130 riders take part in various categories from at least six provinces. With rain and flooding across the country and in particular Gauteng, weather, fortunately, provided a reprieve leading up to the event as the days cleared and Thaba’s variable elevation with rocky terrain draining enough for racing. Albeit with a bit of spice as most of the day where the mud wasn’t sticky (not tacky) it was slippery in the rocky sections. Towards the end of the day though most sections were drying out and the tacky traction riders love, made a brief appearance. Here’s a photo-style recap of some of the action.

JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd
Hydration packs are experiencing a resurgence across disciplines. As well the convenience, a well-designed pack makes sense for enduro where frame design often prioritizing shock placement over bottle mounts. Plus there’s the added benefit of extra protection.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Keira Duncan on fire. He took the overall on the day.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Youth Men category, Ruart van Staden from North West province shows full commitment.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Gauteng’s John Gordon, Vet Men.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Youth Men, Hanro Ehlers from Limpopo keeping it pinned through the A-line.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Not quite tacky and not really gloopy. Weather hit the sweet point to give trail conditions a bit of extra gnar to Thaba Trails.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Grand Master Men, Matthew Stubbs keeps it together.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Sub Vet Women, Gauteng’s Licarmi Smith is all business.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Youth Men, Gerald Gray from the Free State sending.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Junior Man Riku de Lange from Mpumalanga, hot on his heels is Vet Man Carl Deary from Gauteng.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Time out for forest details in the flora of Thaba.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Dustin Rudman taking in oxygen after his second last stage of the day.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Putting his best foot forward, Dustin raced wearing an ankle brace. 
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Enduro as a format is notoriously difficult to cover overall. But it is a fantastic day out of spectating for friends and family.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
All smiles, Frans Kirsten from North West clearly enjoying his event in Masters Men.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Last rider of the day, just as trail conditions are at their peak.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
Sportsmanship and competition go hand in hand. The five fastest riders tee up for podium.
JOHANNESBURG - FEBRUARY 19: Competitors gathered at Thaba Trails for a mountain bike enduro race on February 19, 2023 in Alberton , Johannesburg. The event hosted both the opening round of the national SA Enduro series and a Gauteng provincial round under sanctioning of the local and international governing bodies. Cycling South Africa (CSA) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - Photo: Dino Lloyd for bike network
From left the fastest five overall pictured. 4th Dan Fowler, Gauteng (Vet Men) 2nd Rory Kirk, Gauteng (Elite Men) 1st Keira Duncan, KwaZulu-Natal (Elite Men) 3rd Bryce Munro, Gauteng (Sub Vet Men) 5th Wade-Patrick Prinsloo, North West (Elite Men)

| IMAGES & WORDS: Dino Lloyd |

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