flag

2016 KZNMTB Enduro and Downhill Series Round 3

May 25, 2016
by Nigel Hicks  
ENDURO
The stunning trails of Howick were an excellent final venue for the last round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles on Saturday 21 May. Thirteen-year-old mountain bike trail star, Sabine ‘Beani’ Thies and Downhill racer, Tiaan Odendaal, took the overall women’s and men’s titles respectively.

2016 KZNMTB
Greg Minnaar Cycles/Pizzology Craft Café/Foxhead rider, Beani Thies, was elated to take the title. “I feel awesome – I’ve never gotten an overall victory before. It’s always been my goal to get an overall win. I’m pretty stoked,” she said.

2016 KZNMTB
Elite and overall men's winner, Tiaan Odendaal, races to victory at the third and final round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles in Howick on Saturday 21 May.

Saturday’s Enduro in Howick culminated the three-part 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles, which consistently welcomed over 120 riders to each event, cementing the popularity of this growing sort in the province.

The next event is the once-off 2016 KZNMTB Provincial ENDURO Championships – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles, and takes place at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday 2 July.

Summary of Results – KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series #3 – 21 May 2016

Overall Men
1.Tiaan Odendaal (Senior) 21:58
2.Craig Paul (Sub Veteran) 22:11
3.Shane Martin (Senior) 22:52
4.Hilton Frost (Senior) 23:04
5.Keira Duncan (Youth) 23:30

Overall Women
1.Sabine Thies (Sub Junior) 26:37
2.Kim Westbrook (Senior) 28:11
3.Kathryn Fourie (Sub Veteran) 28:27
4.Charne Dreyer (Sub Junior) 29:46
5.Joanne Hicks (Sub Veteran) 5



DOWNHILL
The forests of Karkloof put on a spectacular display for the third and final round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Downhill Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles on Sunday 22 May. As another remarkable series drew to a close, the KwaZulu-Natal sun began to set behind the podiums of the fastest overall man and woman on riders of the day, Jonathan Philogene and Sabine Thies. The weather could not have been more welcoming of a Provincial Downhill Cup, which also doubled this weekend as the fourth round of the 2016 SA DHI Cup Series, with valuable national points on offer.

2016 KZNMTB

2016 KZNMTB
Charlotte Wolfson of the Western Cape in the top rock garden.

2016 KZNMTB
Cullen McMaster over the lower jumps.

2016 KZNMTB
Wesley Auths boosts the top road gap.

2016 KZNMTB
Youth rider Kayle Seaward boosts the rocks.

The dusty final corners saw many riders vying for the Bar-drag-county award, with may ending up perfecting their breakdancing moves.
2016 KZNMTB
2016 KZNMTB
Jacques Dreyer with a 7.0 from the judges.

2016 KZNMTB
2016 KZNMTB
Benjamin Smit going for a handstand pirouette.

2016 KZNMTB
2016 KZNMTB
Frank "scorpion" Meyer received a 10/10 for his effort.

The Elite and overall Men’s winner, was 2Bros Racing’s Jonathan Philogene. The 19-year-old was ecstatic to take the title, as well as managing to pulling off two “clean” runs, which he feels is not very often the case. “The race went well, the regional and national result meant a lot to me, I needed to do well at this round to meet the criteria for world champs selection, which is my ultimate goal for the year. So finishing first really did mean a lot to me,” he said. Philogene was able to share the excitement with 17-year-old brother, Christopher, after he took the Junior Men’s title on the day.

2016 KZNMTB
Chris Phologene on his way to the top spot for the day.

Sub-Junior and overall Women’s winner, Sabine Thies, was over the moon at her double win at the weekend, having taken the overall women’s title in the Enduro on the Saturday as well. “I feel great. Its’ been a long time coming that I was going to win overall so I’m really happy,” she said. Thies (riding for Greg Minnaar Cycles / Pizzology Craft Café / Foxhead South Africa) spoke about her experience of the series: “The series overall went well. I had a few bad races but held it together until the end, so I’m really glad to take the series win. This Karkloof track is definitely my favourite, but St. Ives definitely gave this one a bit of a run for its money as well.”

2016 KZNMTB
Sabine Thies on her way to first in the ladies.

2016 KZNMTB
Overall men's podium.

2016 KZNMTB
Overall ladies podium.

Overall Men
1. Jonathan Philogene 02:37.65
2. Tiaan Odendaal 02:38.65
3. Christopher Philogene 02:41.74
4. Timothy Bentlry 02:43.57
5. Adi van der Merwe 02:47.60

Overall Women
1. Sabine Thies 03:34.95
2. Kathryn Fourie 03:46.30
3. Kim Westbrook 03:50.90
4. Joanne Hicks 04:04.40
5. Tammy Sturrock 04:11.74

Full results for Enduro and Downhill on Elite Timing.

Words by Mylene Paynter and Kelly Bruce
Images courtesy of David Louis, Paul Botma, and McMaster Photography.


MENTIONS: @nigelhicks101


Author Info:
nigelhicks101 avatar

Member since Nov 16, 2009
21 articles

5 Comments
  • 1 0
 Looking forward to seeing what Sabine can accomplish in the future, well done young lady!
  • 1 0
 Looks like an awesome race...
  • 1 0
 Frank Dawg on the front page of PinkBike Smile
  • 1 0
 Nice article Nigel
  • 1 0
 Great crash pics Nigel!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.052825
Mobile Version of Website