Team Valencia fly their flag high at Ashburton #2, Sabie

Last weekend the most popular and one of the toughest legs of the Ashburton MTB National Marathon Series took place in Sabie. The challenging technical route attracts mountain bikers from across the country and even sported a strong international contingent including Bulls riders Urs Huber and Karl Platt.

Each year the Valencia tent is a haven to all, with cold drinks, shade, and beanbags; a blessing after a long hot day in the saddle. Our Valencia riders also had a strong presence in the trails across the board from the Ultra Marathon to the fun race.

Max Knox did the Lowveld and South Africa proud as he was the first South African to cross the line in the Ultra marathon in a time of 5:51:40, just behind Bulls riders Urs Huber and Karl Platt. Hein Engelbrecht, in the colours of Valencia also rode an excellent Ultra marathon, coming 12^th overall in the Elite men’s category. “I am happy with my result, especially since I haven’t raced in such a long time. The start was super hard, the Bulls set an extremely fast pace up the first climb. I hung on to the front of the bunch for the first big climb but dropped off on the second one knowing I couldn’t sustain that pace. I decided to be as conservative as possible but the heat didn’t make it easy. On the second loop I cramped badly and lost chunks of time”.

In the marathon, Amy McDougall came 6^th overall in the Elite ladies category “Sabie is my favourite marathon, I have done it every year of my career, since 2011 and I have loved every one! I have had a slow start to the year but am happy with my improvement since Meerendal and am looking forward to a good year of marathon and stage racing”.

Armand Lombard took Bronze in the 45km overall, he paced himself well and finished strong – “I had a great race, the cool, wet weather was welcomed but it brought along with it slippery and treacherous conditions. I got dropped up the first climb and found myself in 6^th. I kept a steady pace and worked my way into 4^th. In the final 3km I dropped the guy in 3^rd”.

Zandri Strydom came 2^nd overall in the 45k ladies race, and first in her age category. “It was great racing! The course was wet, muddy, and slippery which made it really fun. The climbs were tough but I still enjoyed it a lot!”

10 year old Thomas Williams was all smiles at the end of his 17km fun race and came 5^th in his age category.

Well done to all who participated, it was a tough day in the saddle for everyone! Next challenge in the Lowveld: Sappi Mankele MTB Challenge on the 19^th March 2016. See you there!