Stories posted under Pinkbike Community blogs are not edited, vetted, or approved by the Pinkbike editorial team. These are stories from Pinkbike users.
If a blog post is offensive or violates the Terms of Services, please report the blog to Community moderators.
Alasdair Fey dominates at second GMM/KZN Regional
Some words and photos of the second GMM/KZN Cup Race in PMB, South AfricaSunday 20 February saw the second GMM/KZN Regional at Cascades. After rains of biblical proportions drenched PMB from Saturday afternoon until early Sunday morning race day got off to a very slow day. Most riders arrived at the track later than usual, which turned out to be a good choice, since the shuttle was delayed due to the mud-fest on the road up to the start of the track.
![photo]()
The shuttle was eventually sorted out and I got a lift up to ‘Gum tree flats, except there were no trees. It’s amazing how an area changes due to felling, the Cascades track is on SAPPI land and so logging happens quite frequently. I struggled finding a good spot to shoot on the top section of the course, it really didn’t look very scenic and the sun and clouds weren’t really playing along either. I finally found a nice little spot. A ski jump with a down slope landing, only after several minutes did I realise where I was, the bomb hole, also without trees.
![photo]()
More on the racing though, the course was tough, partially because it was extremely warm and muggy and most of the track was in the open and also because the top section of the course consisted of a long pedalling section interspersed with step-up jumps and ski jumps. After the bomb hole the track lead down into the old 4X track, to the right of the 2009 WC DH track bridge/drop-off. The lower section of the course remained the same as in the first provincial, except that the finish was the same as during the 2009 WC.
![photo]()
![photo]()
The field was slightly smaller for this race, since the Jozi riders had their own Provincial race on. A total of 57 competitors made for a great spectator event though.
![photo]()
Everyone’s eyes were on Travis Browning to see if he would repeat his performance from the first race, and he did win the Elite category but young Alasdair Fey, a junior rider surprised everyone – including, I suspect, himself- by winning the race overall. During his second run he shot down the hill in an impressive time of 2.50.36, 1.55 seconds faster than second place Travis Browning.
![photo]()
Overall results:
1. Alasdair Fey: 2.50.36
2. Travis Browning: 2.51.91
3. Hayden Brown: 2.52.37
4. Kelvin Purchase: 2.55.66
5. Tiaan Odendaal: 2.55.55
The next race will be held on 27 March on the 2011 World Cup track.
![photo]()
The shuttle was eventually sorted out and I got a lift up to ‘Gum tree flats, except there were no trees. It’s amazing how an area changes due to felling, the Cascades track is on SAPPI land and so logging happens quite frequently. I struggled finding a good spot to shoot on the top section of the course, it really didn’t look very scenic and the sun and clouds weren’t really playing along either. I finally found a nice little spot. A ski jump with a down slope landing, only after several minutes did I realise where I was, the bomb hole, also without trees.
More on the racing though, the course was tough, partially because it was extremely warm and muggy and most of the track was in the open and also because the top section of the course consisted of a long pedalling section interspersed with step-up jumps and ski jumps. After the bomb hole the track lead down into the old 4X track, to the right of the 2009 WC DH track bridge/drop-off. The lower section of the course remained the same as in the first provincial, except that the finish was the same as during the 2009 WC.
The field was slightly smaller for this race, since the Jozi riders had their own Provincial race on. A total of 57 competitors made for a great spectator event though.
Everyone’s eyes were on Travis Browning to see if he would repeat his performance from the first race, and he did win the Elite category but young Alasdair Fey, a junior rider surprised everyone – including, I suspect, himself- by winning the race overall. During his second run he shot down the hill in an impressive time of 2.50.36, 1.55 seconds faster than second place Travis Browning.
Overall results:
1. Alasdair Fey: 2.50.36
2. Travis Browning: 2.51.91
3. Hayden Brown: 2.52.37
4. Kelvin Purchase: 2.55.66
5. Tiaan Odendaal: 2.55.55
The next race will be held on 27 March on the 2011 World Cup track.
Author Info:
Member since Sep 4, 2009
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
0 Comments
Login or Sign Up