Team Valencia Perform Across the Board at National XCO #3

Last Saturday the 3^rd leg of the National XCO series took place at an all new venue: Wolwespruit, Pretoria. The course kicked off with a climb of about 500m long, not only was it extremely steep, the terrain was loose and uneven with rocks and tree stumps to navigate. The trail was wide enough to separate the field before the first descent. A narrow, windy descent with some tight corners and off camber sections was a welcome relief as it gave the legs and lungs time to recover just in time for the longest but less technical and steep climb.
Burning legs were rewarded with the 2^nd, most enjoyable half of the course. First up was one small drop off leading straight into a bigger, scarier drop-off both of which required some air time, or the B-line for the feinter hearted. Riders made their way down a long, loose switchback descent, over a bridge, up a short killer climb and down a pretty gnarly rock garden.
Some berms, jumps, rollers and a final drag concluded the 6km course. With over 300 entrance, this leg was the hottest contested race in the series thus far.

Armand Lombard showed his consistently growing form in the junior category coming 12^th overall in a field of 40 competitive riders. 'Wolwespruit XCO #3 was very well laid out and planned. The climbing was a handful and the downhills were good for catching your breath. It was not that happy with my performance as I was hoping for a top 10.'

Zandri Strydom blitzed the field in the Youth Women category winning with over 3 minutes to spare.  Zandri’s laps actually got faster as the race progressed, the mark of a classy XCO racer! 'It was fun and I liked the rocky uphills and downhills and was very happy to have won.'

Amy McDougall had to fight her way from the back of 12 riders and claimed 5^th in the Elite Women’s category at the end of her 5 laps. 'It was so good to back on the XCO track after many years. I was happy with my race and feel as though my love for XCO has been rekindled!'

Monique Swart, like many riders on the day suffered an unfortunate puncture which cost her the race.

Well done to each one of them who did their best and made their team proud!

African Champs in Lesotho is next up on the XCO calendar.

Until then!