Race Report: Round 3 of the 2021 KwaZulu-Natal Gravity Series - Cathkin Trails

The third and final race of the 2021 KwaZulu-Natal Gravity Enduro Calendar took place over the weekend of the 14th and 15th of August at Cathkin MTB Park in the Champagne Valley, Drakensberg. The event formed the last opportunity for riders to earn those coveted points for the KZN Provincial Series sponsored once again by Greg Minnaar Cycles.


Icy conditions, rain and the picturesque snow capped mountains in the distance had riders preparing themselves for a nail-biting slip and slide which would prove to push all 130 riders to their limit, challenging even the most experienced wet weather riders.


With over a third of the field punching out early due to the harsh conditions, the remainder of the riders pushed themselves, giving it all they had to conquer the relentless rain and freezing cold to score those valuable points, earning many who soldiered onto the end the title of series champion.

Riders fought hard to keep it tidy and upright.

The hotly contested Elite field had riders neck and neck right down to the muddy showdown at the end, with Luke Dinkel walking away with the days top step followed by local Shaun Charlton and quick as they come Keira Duncan.


With one of SA's Elite ladies sitting this one out in preparation for the Downhill World Championships later this month, the ladies top step was up for grabs, and Master Karen Fortune skated her way into the top step and making it a hat trick of wins to claim the series title overall in Masters.

This event saw the largest field of U13 Girls partaking in the Enduro Series so far.

Overnight rain on Saturday unfortunately meant the DH portion of the event was postponed until later in the year. Safety officials made the call for postponement citing rider safety was at risk due to road conditions for shuttle vehicles and medical access.

Overall Mens
Luke Dinkel 14:52
Shaun Charlton 15:17
Keira Duncan 15:21

Overall Ladies
Karen Fortune 22:40
Amber Cole 25:26
Fiona Williams 26:00

Race Photographer: Brandon Waugh https://halfpint.co.za

Full Results: http://www.elitetiming.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/KZN-Enduro-3.xlsx

Posted In:
Racing and Events Race Reports Greg Minnaar