2015 KZNMTB #3 - Giba MTB Park

Enduro

KZN's premiere MTB Park, Giba Gorge near Pinetown played host to the 3rd and final round of the KZNMTB Enduro and Downhill Series presented by NMI-DSM, on the 18th and 19th April. The Enduro event took place on Saturday 18th, attracting a field of 120 riders who would battle it out for final points over four dusty, loose stages. Giba MTB Park is renowned for its amazing trails and once again did not disappoint with the KZNMTB organisers throwing in a host of steep technical trails which were unknown to many of the park regulars. Lack of rain over the three weeks leading up to the event had left the trails exceptionally loose with a fine layer of marble-size gravel overlying the hardpack. This changed very quickly into deep sandpits as practice got under way on Saturday morning.

Giba Cafe at Giba Bike Park teeming with riders and spectators alike

Giba patrons enjoying the days vibe

The climb up to SP1 and SP2 was a tough slog

Coming into the race, Hilton Frost (PYGA) had the overall series lead after the first two rounds and looked comfortable just needing a top 3 position to take the overall. There was no holding back however as Frost had to hold off a charging Tim Bentley (Fox Head) who was relishing the steep and technical DH orientated trails. Frost and Bentley traded first place times on the first two stages, but Frost took over on Stage 3 and put in a commanding 13 seconds into Bentley which was enough to help Frost to the win and the overall with a time of 12:29. Bentley had to settle for second on the day, 10 seconds adrift. Third place was hotly contested by Jedson Tooms (ROAG) and Veteran rider (40-49 age group) Craig Seaward, with Seaward putting in a phenomenal ride to take 3rd place overall for the day by only a few splits of a second. Sub-Veteran rider and Giba local, Craig Scott rounded out the men's podium in 5th.

Hilton Frost sets off on SP3, while Craig Seaward send the roots at the end of SP4

Jedson Tooms and Chris Pearton powering the final corner of SP1

Men's Podium

In the ladies an interesting battle was set to ensue as a number of the top competitors were carrying injuries from an event two weeks prior. Kim Westbrook, winner of the first two rounds was carrying a recently dislocated elbow which was heavily strapped for the event by event sponsors Elite Athlete Performance. Westbrook however did not let her injuries get the better of her and powered to another win, with Sabine Thies being the only lady to take a Stage victory away from her on SP3. Westbrook waltzed home in a time of 16:51, 31 seconds ahead of second place, Thies. Giba MTB park seemed to favour the older riders with Veteran riders being third in both men's and ladies, as Veteran Lady, Nicky McLeod pipped Sub-Vet downhiller, Kathryn Fourie for third overall. The top five were rounded out by Charne Dreyer.

Kim Westbrook reigning supreme for a third time

Ladies Podium

The rest of the field had an awesome time sliding and skidding their way down the 4 technical stages.

Marc Price (160) and Nigel Hicks (78 ) showing some different styles to manage the lower roots on SP4

Some local support at the top of SP2

The amazing park grounds at Giba MTB Park

Race director, Dave Drummond and his team at KZNMTB did an amazing job of putting together a smooth and successful event. And a big thank you goes out to the Series Sponsors:NMI-DSM, Shreddtech, Elite Athlete Performance, Pyga, and of course Giba MTB Park. Thanks to the photographers Nick Ferreria (NMI-DSM), Kevin Bender, and Paul Botma for the images. Find the full results here.

Downhill

The 2015 KZNMTB Downhill Series came to a thrilling close on the 19th April with the 3rd and final round being held at Giba MTB Park outside Pinetown. The technical, albeit short Downhill track at Giba Gorge did not disappoint, with overcast but dry and dusty conditions greeting the riders for morning practice. The top of the track is a long rock garden starting straight out of the gate, with deep holes and jagged edges to catch those who stray from the racing line, the bottom of the track however is underlain by deeply weathered granite, what had been berms in the morning were transformed almost immediately into arrestor-beds of deep granite soil with unseen holes, roots and rocks lying in wait.

Veteran rider Deon Van den Berg sends one of the rock drops in the top of the course.

With the non-entry of current series leader, Tiaan Odendaal due to work commitments, the door was open for one of the other top competitors to claim the top step and try to take the overall series title at the same time. International rider, Samuel Bull (SportsNut) was back racing after a nasty early season incident with a car had left him with fractured vertebrae. Bull had his sights set on picking up where he had left off 2 weeks prior at the National event held in Pietermaritzburg where he had taken top honours. The enthusiastic crowd were not disappointed as Bull sneaked home with the fastest time of the day (1:33.42), narrowly beating sibling team duo, Chris and Jonathan Philogene (2 Bros Racing) into 2nd and 3rd respectively. The short track provided some close racing with first and second separated by a mere 1/100th of a second. Timothy Bentley (Fox Head) and Ryan Frerichs rounded out the top 5 for the day.

Jonathan Philogene (2Bros Racing) out of the start gate on his way to 3rd overall and 2nd Junior.

Chris Philogene (2Bros Racing) railing the lower switchbacks to 2nd overall and 1st Junior.

Sam Bull (SportsNut) off the last drop in on his way to 1st Overall and 1st Elite

Men's Podium

In the ladies, the previous events had taken their toll on the field with two of the main contenders, Kathryn Fourie, and Kim Westbrook nursing injuries coming into the final round. Both riders had to try and fend off a charging Sabine Thies, who was fresh off a national win two weeks before and brimming with confidence. However, when the tracks granite marbles were rolled it was Kim Westbrook, who came through the dusty track with the fastest time of 2:18.12, beating Kathryn Fourie into second and Thies having to settle for bronze. Joanne Hicks and Kate Stephenson rounded out the top 5 of the ladies field for the day.

Kim Westbrook about to drop in to the rocks, while Kathryn Fourie negotiates the rocks at the start

Sabine Thies off the rock roll

Lauren Hoyer in the lower rock chute

Ladies Podium

The rest of the field had an awesome time tackling the challenging track with a number of enduro riders who had partaken in the previous days enduro event opting to give DH a bash. Although there were a couple of spills all seemed to have a fantastic time and it is promising to see the progression between the two disciplines in both the ladies and mens categories as young and old are now prepared to come and give downhill a go.

Tim Bentley

Development rider Mthokozisi Christopher Mkhize on his way to 14th in the Elite Category

Shuttles to the top

The finish arena

Prize Giving at Giba MTB Park

Although the KZNMTB Series presented by NMI-DSM has come to a thrilling close, racing is not done as the riders will converge once more at Cascades Bike Park in Pietermaritzburg for the stand-alone KZN Championship Event sponsored by NMI-DSM on the 6th and 7th June. A big thank you goes out to the Series Sponsors:NMI-DSM, Shreddtech, Elite Athlete Performance, Pyga, and of course Giba MTB Park. Thanks to the photographers Aldine Venter (Ink Black Photographic), Nick Ferreria (NMI-DSM), and Kevin Bender for the images. Find the full results here.

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MENTIONS: @nigelhicks101

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