Mankele XCO National. Race Report by Ryan Terry

On Saturday the 24th I rode the SA National XCO at Mankele. When I got there in the morning the nerves were tense, I went to the Valencia tent and met Bosseau Boshoff and we spoke race tactics. At 9:00 AM I went to the line and I was ready to race, there was a lot of competition for me to deal with! 

From the start a Cannondale rider sped off, I stayed with him for half of the first lap but then the pace just got a bit too high and I dropped off. The coarse was tough and there was a lot of technical pieces that I managed to do.I am happy with my 2nd place! 
Thanks to the support of Team Valencia, Bosseau Boshoff of Infinita Coaching, Justin Victor and Naeem Omar and all the supporters!  

National XCO - Mankele. Race Report by Sam Sanders

I was quite excited for the Mankele National after not having been in a XCO race since African Champs in February. The turn out was a little disappointing but we lined up with enthusiasm nonetheless. 

Mankele is a course that demands a lot from the legs and upper body something I feel suites my riding well. I went hard on the back straight to get into the single track first & managing to stretch my lead over each lap to finish with over 7mins to spare. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and the guys at Mankele, as always, put together a well organised event. CSA has come to the party too! they have been awarding us handsomely with decent prize money at the XCO & DH Nationals this year. Definitely incentive to race hard!   

Huge Thank you to all involved and in particular my title sponsor Valencia and also Adidas & Continental. Infinita and Boss for the support. 

Valencia Podiums in National Cross Country and Marathon Events

Last weekend Saturday was a big day in national mountain biking with both a National XCO race held in Mankele and the 5^th leg of the National Marathon Series which took place in Rooiberg, North of Pretoria. Despite the clash of dates, Team Valencia represented well in both events.

In the Elite XCO race, Samantha Sanders was in her element, the course at Mankele suits her as it is highly technical; fast and fun if you have guts and skill.

The South African Champion showed her pedigree as she had pulled a 50 second gap on her competition in the first lap alone, extending it to 8 minutes after the 4 lap race. “Mankele is a course that demands a lot from the legs and upper body. Something I feel suits my riding well. The guys at Mankele as always put together a well organised event. CSA have been rewarding us handsomely with decent prize money. Definitely an incentive to work hard!”

Ryan Terry, one of Valencia’s youngest up and coming road cyclists showed diversity when he competed on the other end of the cycling spectrum coming second in a competitive Sub Junior category. “The course was tough with a lot of technical sections that I managed to do. I am happy with my second place!”

In the MTN National Marathon in Rooiberg, Amy Beth McDougall lined up next to some of the best marathon racers in the country. She finished in a solid 4^th overall and 2^nd in the Senior Ladies Category. “The race was hot, rocky and very physical both on the uphills and downhills. It was not my best race but I loved the challenging singletrack and finished strong despite a horrible start.”

Mandie Swart had an excellent race in the Half Marathon. She came 2^nd overall and won the Junior Ladies age category “I’m really glad to have taken 2^nd overall and 1^st Junior. It was really challenging but I loved the technical stuff!” Mandie’s younger sister Monique Swart raced in the 20km, coming 5^th overall and 4^th in the Sub Junior category.

Next up for Team Valencia is the Uplands Festival this weekend on home ground. Certain to be a fantastic day out for everyone in the Lowveld!

Valencia Riders Kick Das Auto Series off with a Bang

Last weekend the Das Auto MTB series kicked off with a record high of over 400 entries. The energy was palpable on the start line at Penryn College situated between Nelspruit and White River. The chill at the start was quickly forgotten as the pace went flat-out from the gun, riders raced to get a good position into the first single track after a mean little climb out of the school grounds.

Kilometres of new single track had recently been cut, offering riders loads of fun, challenging single track, bridges and tough climbs, keeping them on their toes for the entire 25km loop.

There were 3 hotly contested distances: 15km fun ride, 25km and 50km (2x25km laps). A strong contingent of Team Valencia riders represented in each.  In the Men’s 25km Team Valencia juniors took the top 2 spots as well as an exceptional 7 spots in the top 10 overall!

Top 10 results: 1st: Franco Pelser (Valencia) 2nd: Murray James (Valencia) 3^rd: Reghardt Wiehman 4th: Martin Oosthuizen (Valencia) 5^th: James Goosen, 6th Damon Halderman (Valencia), 7^th: Ryno Beukes (Valencia), 8^th: Demarco Pillay (Valencia), 9^th: Keegan Clarke (Valencia), and 10^th: Armand Lombard. The upcoming talent, 13 year old Ryan Terry also from Valencia finished 11^th overall and 1^st Sub Junior.

In the ladies 25km race, Mandie Swart of Valencia took the top spot overall and Tyneale Terry came 4^th overall and 2^nd Junior after Mandie.

In the 50km marathon, Valencia’s Samantha Sanders and Amy McDougall took the top 2 positions respectively in the ladies category.

The next showdown will take place on the 21^st of June, whether your goal is to win, beat that specific someone, improve on your previous time or just to have a fun day on your bike in the great outdoors we hope to see you there!

A big thanks to sponsors Volkswagen, SPAR, Halls, Doug’s Hiring, and fantastic hosts Penryn College for making the series possible.

The Valencia Team.

Team Valencia Dominate Swaziland Road Race

Last weekend Team Valencia put out a stellar performance in Swaziland when they dominated the 100km Dups Mafutseni Cycle Classic.

Representing Valencia was:
Bosseau Boshoff (Veteran Men)
Justin Victor (Elite Men)
Samantha Sanders (Elite Ladies)
Amy McDougall (Elite Ladies)
Damon Halderman (Junior Men)
Martin Oosthuizen (Junior Men)
Demarco Pillay (Youth)

Bosseau Boshoff surprised everyone when he went out on a solo breakaway from the gun to assess who the aggressors would be. No one responded and he quickly gained a 2 minute gap which he maintained, man alone for an impressive 70km. The rest of the Valencia Team helped Boshoff keep his lead by controlling the pace of the chasing bunch.

After the 50km turnaround point Boshoff had a strong headwind to contend with but he fought it and kept his lead for an additional 20km when the bunch finally reeled him in. The final 30 km were filled with small attacks and the bunch started getting edgy, not willing to let anyone get away.

With about 10km to go, Justin Victor attacked forming a break of 4 riders. Martin Oosthuizen counter attacked as soon as Victor’s break got neutralized and he managed to stay away till the 5km mark. Once he got caught, Damon Helderman attacked with less than 4km to go, quickly opening a gap of 30 seconds. No one had the strength to respond, and his brave feat proved to be the move of the day as he went on to earn a very well deserved win. Boshoff came second in a sprint with Oosthuizen coming in 5^th place overall.

The final results of the Valencia riders were:
Damon Halderman: 1st GC, 1st Junior
Bosseau Boshoff: 2nd GC, 1st Vet
Martin Oosthuizen: 5th GC, 2nd Junior
Demarco Pillay: 7th GC, 1st Under 17
Justin Victor 13th GC, 1st Elite Man
Samantha Sanders 12th GC, 1st Lady
Amy McDougall who broke 2 spokes finished 23rd GC 3rd Lady.

These outstanding results were a direct outcome of comradery and exceptional team work. As a result Team Valencia went further to win the Best overall team and the floating trophy for the best represented team. 

Naeem Omar, proud owner of Valencia is to thank for giving these riders the opportunity to learn and achieve their goals in a positive and encouraging atmosphere.  

DUPS MAFUTSENI RACE - Race Report by Bosseau Boshoff

We got invited to do a road race in Swaziland and me being the Roadie that I am I could not resist.

I handpicked my posse and off we went to invade Swaziland.

It was a 100km road race over what was meant to be a “flat” race ( Big lie, thanks Russel)

The day before the race I raced the 50km Das Auto MTB race, I Blew so badly I thought there is no way I would be able to be any help to my fellow riders in the next morning’s race.

I was very surprised to see how well organised and well supported the race was when we got there. With Teams lining up from Mozambique and Swaziland it was marked for a nice Tri Nations Battle.

With nerves and legs a bit toasted we lined up with a plan that if we worked together we could possible get a podium for the team

The Team:    Myself(Veteran)

                    Justin Victor (Elite Men)

                    Damon Halderman (Junior)

                    Martin Oosthuizen (Junior)

                    Demarco Pillay (Youth)

                    Amy Beth McDougall (Elite Ladies)

                    Samantha Sanders (Elite Ladies)

As the race started I rode off the front to see who the aggressors would be during the race so we could start with a game plan. 

There was no response from the bunch and I think most people thought I was just stretching my legs when I left so they let me go. After a couple of km’s I had a nice 2min gap and I thought “well as long as I am away the rest of my team only needs to sit and follow wheels. They would have a fairly easy ride till I get caught.” So off I went.

The Valencia team helped by interfering with the paceline set by the riders from Mozambique and Swaziland but soon they caught on to this and after the 50km turnaround I still had a lead of 1min 10sec. The other teams started a more controlled chase and the wind which had gone from a tailwind to a hectic headwind assisted in them catching me after my Brave / stupid 70km solo breakaway.

With 30km to go and all the team back in the bunch, the attacks started and nobody was going to risk letting anyone get away.

With about 10km to go, Justin Victor attacked forming a break of 4 riders. Martin Oosthuizen counter attacked as soon as Victor’s break got neutralized and he managed to stay away till the 5km mark. Once he got caught, Damon Helderman attacked with less than 4km to go, quickly opening a gap of 30 seconds. He kept it and he went on to get a very well deserved win.

With the run in to the finish the Swaziland National Champ was looking for his leadout man but it seemed he would have to do it on his own. I sat his wheel and waited for him to start the sprint, he went way to early but I must say he has a serious kick on him and I really battled to get onto his wheel. I sat there till the very last moment and then once he had spent all his energy I went past to make it a 1, 2 for the team.

Final Results was

Damon 1^st GC and 1^st Junior

Bosseau 2^nd GC 1^st Vet

Martin Finished 5^th GC 2^nd Junior

Demarco 7^th GC 1^st Under 17

Justin 13^th GC 1^st Elite

Sam 12^th GC 1^st Ladies

Amy who broke 2 spokes finished 23^rd GC 3^rd Ladies

Compliments must go my whole team, they all rode like stars but especially to Justin who rode for the team and sacrificing his own race he guided the youngsters and kept them motivated.

Thanks to Naeem Omar from Valencia without your continued support none of this would have been possible.

The Mast Challenge - Race Report by Emily Clarke

On the 10^th of May I did the mast challenge here in CT. It's a runner against cyclist race: 11km up with 900m of l ascent. You can do the run or the ride or the kings challenge which is both :) I did the Kings challenge. I felt good on the run and ended 4th in the ladies overall. For the ride I was feeling less great (after having run 22km's- up and down) but still managed 5th overall in the ladies race. In the Kings challenge I came 2nd :)

The challenge was heaps of fun and insanely beautiful albeit a tad cold!!! I haven't run in a race for years and it was nice to see that my feet can still carry me at a reasonable pace (largely due to my awesome training program!). 

The race was part of my final preps for Expedition Africa which begins this Sunday the 25th May on the wild coast. This crazy adventure race will include a whole lot more of what the mast challenge was... well a couple of days’ worth of it non-stop. Plus 80ish km’s of paddling. Eek! A massive thanks to coach Bosseau Bosshoff for getting me race ready and Naeem and the V-team for the unending support. I wouldn't make the start line without them! 

See you all on the other side of +-300km of MTB'ing, +- 120km of trekking/running, +-80km of ocean paddling and a whole lot of sleep deprivation... Granted we don't get horribly lost. You can track team Flirtatious Flamingoes (Guy, Darol, Christiaan and myself) at http://www.kineticgear.org/gps-tracking/ or monitor us on the www.kineticgear.org website. There will be all sorts of cool leader board type stuff happening. You can also follow @kineticgear on  twitter and facebook for live updates. 

Pray for Guy and Darol's navigational skills. And for those of you who are familiar with my geographical knowledge... stress not, I won't be touching the maps. AT ALL!