Dirtopia Enduro 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa by esphotography

Dirtopia Enduro 24 11 2013 - www.esphotography.co.za

Myles Kelsey, Stage 1

It was off to Delheim, just outside Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, for the 4th running of the Dirtopia Enduro this past weekend. A 140 very enthusiastic riders took part in this one-day, 5 stage event, racing roughly 16km overall. It was a very hot day with the mercury reaching 30, and no wind whatsoever, making the climbs that extra bit more difficult.

Signing up and getting prepped.

Early morning and the sun's already blazing.

Pre-race briefing.

Talking strategy.

Darryn Stow (Over all winner) ~ "Everything flowed really well"

The 5 stages ran across a mixture of surfaces including some super soft and unpredictable off-camber stuff. Apart from some riders getting it wrong on the 4th stage, the course markings were great overall. Stage 1 was the most tricky with plenty of rocky, technical sections. Thereafter, the stages were fast and flowy with a few good climbs thrown in for good measure. The stages provided an overall fair contest for both XC and DH riders.

Gary Perkin imparting some wisdom on a fellow Santa Cruz rider.

Enroute stage 1.

Liaison 1, already claiming some riders. JP going strong.

Mauritius de Klerk, Stage 1

Andrew Neethling (Mens no.3), Stage 1. Super dry and dusty.

Myles Kelsey ~ "Trails were amazing"

This was a blind Enduro with zero practice before the event and riders only having the race brief's information. Timing was done using the trailtag system whereby riders start and stop their own stage timing by electronically 'tagging' at the beginning and end of each stage. This allows the whole event to flow without any bottle necks as the front runners can pin it through the liaison sections and onto the next stages, and the slower riders can complete the event at their own pace.

Lining up for stage 2.

Jonty Neethling (Mens no.2), Stage 2

Ian Pritchard. Midway through stage 2 things opened up a bit with riders pinning it throughout the vineyards.

Stage 2

Gary Perkin ~ "It was just a great fun morning on the bike"

Thanks to Delheim for hosting the event, and to Meurant Botha and the rest of the Dirtopia team for putting in all the effort.