It was back to Delheim, just outside Stellenbosch for the annual Dirtopia Delheim Enduro this weekend. As per usual, the race consisted of 5 fun stages, some with freshly built, loose and slippery single track added into the mix. The tree tunnels and hard packed gravel/clay surfaces on stages 2 and 3 meant full aero tucks and seriously impressive speeds, naturally favoring the DH riders. With any event this time of year in the Western Cape, the relentless heat really plays a role, but luckily we were blessed with a cool and cloudy day, perfect for racing.
With the top 5 separated by only 10 seconds over 5 stages, racing was super tight all the way. Last year's winner Matt Lombardi could only reach third this year, edged out by pro downhiller Stefan Garlicki by just 1 second! Top spot however belonged to another pro downhiller, the one and only Andrew Neethling, with a combined racing time of 11:35, only 3 seconds ahead of Stefan. Younger brother Jonty, came in 5th overall, following Darryn Stow in 4th.
Race director / trail builder Meurant Botha and his team did a stellar job of putting together a smooth and successful event. And a big thank you goes out to our prize sponsors:
Ion, Delheim wines,
Dirt Apparel, Giant, Falke, Brunox, drinks by Powerade/Coke & Red Bull, and of course the landowners & Greater Simonsberg Conservancy...
As a tribute to Mark Hopkins getting married soon, a special bachelors class was introduced for him and the
#onelastfreeride crew. Sporting an uncomfortably tight blue power ranger suit and some #adulttoys, Mark escorted Lola safely through the 5 stages, albeit slightly less inflated... An invite only, impromptu, post race, beer induced, dual slalom was held in an open field shortly after, with Mark and his zero drag skin suit, 'easily beating the field'.