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Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Press Release: Mud, Rocks, Uphill and Single Track .The Sabie Classic, Not a Race for the Faint Hearted.

Last Saturday the second leg of the 2014 MTN National Marathon series, the Sabie Classic was held in the quaint town of its name sake. Wet weather a few days prior, and a solid overnight rain on Friday evening made for a mud bath for everyone in the Marathon and Ultra Marathon. Both races were riddled with mechanicals, DNFs and crashes. Fortunately for the Half Marathon and smaller races the next day, the sun came out and dried the track making for a more pleasant day in the saddle.
Representing Team Valencia in the 75km Marathon was Samantha Sanders and Amy McDougall. Sanders had an unfortunate crash down one of the first technical descents of the day the slippery rocks resulting in a deep gash in her left arm and a fractured right thumb. Like a trooper she rode all the way to water point 3 to her tech team and pulled out. She was gutted at her first DNF ever but has been discharged from the hospital and is on the mend.
Amy McDougall proved that perseverance pays when she came 3rd overall. She started in 9th place and worked her way through the field, passing her competition as they experienced mechanicals and crashes “I am super happy with a result that was way better than I had hoped for. I loved the mud and challenging conditions. I experienced no problems with my bike and the professional support from Team Manager Naeem and coach Bosseau before the race and at the tech zone was awesome!”
The following day in the 45km half marathon Kirsty Shuttleworth 2nd Youth “I loved the mud and the awesome single track, I’m very happy with my result. Thanks once again to Valencia for the support!”

In the 16km race, Youth rider Hanru Lubbe won the race overall, narrowly beating Sub Junior Ryan Terry by 39 seconds. Terry who finished 2nd overall and first in his category says: “I had a great race, the conditions suited my race strategy. I would like to thank my manager Naeem Omar, my coach Bosseau Boshoff and my dad for the support.”

The Valencia tent was a haven to many grateful, mud covered mountain bikers with poofs, ice cold cool drinks and a delicious braai.
The Valencia kit was seen on the top steps of the podium to back markers who rode merely for the love of mud, socialising and to challenge themselves mentally and physically. It is always great to see big smiles and the great vibe that follows the Valencia crowd wherever they go.
Next up for the crew is the 3rd leg of the MP provincial XCO series to be held at Mankele.



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