The First Ascent Big Induna mountain bike race has blown all race expectations off the charts. How could we expect anything else when the biggest complaint was sunburn? Wow, what an amazing weekend of friends, laughter, breakthroughs, victories and MOUNTAINBIKING. A celebration of everything that makes mountain biking the liberating sport that we all yearn for.
The route had nothing but the best that Induna Adventures could come up with. Kilometres and kilometres of smooth flowing single track and quad trails with play park style burms and bridges all over the show. In fact, riding a total of 38 bridges makes you feel like you?re on a stairway to heaven. The scenery was from the movie Jurassic Park, with a mayhem of indigenous forest, river crossings, cascading waterfalls and supreme country side viewpoints to ensure that your cup of joy and excitement overflowed.
Back at the venue it felt like a get together of friends and family as children ran and played on the Induna beach to the delight of their on looking parents sitting leisurely under the umbrellas and canopy tents. The festive atmosphere was flamed as the MC announced every rider back like a prodigal son.
After the Big Induna mountain bike race was off the calendar last year because of the soccer world cup, the Induna boys had to proof why they believe it is the best event on the SA calendar, and they came with all guns blazing. The believed that ?lives will be changed. We expect nothing but miracles to change peoples lives?.?
The field of riders were made up from SA?s best, the likes of Max Knox, Ben Melt Swanepoel, Yolandi du Toit, etc. up until a fun ride of over a hundred entrants. This shows us that mountain biking is a growing sport and fun for the whole family.
Although this race is long gone and over, the momentum will be seen as riders from all over will pitch up with their favourite Induna cycle shirt to fly the flag of a day in history that made a difference.
?The 70km race started with the 120km race which added an extra little element as it was giving some young stars there chance to shine against the pro riders. The first loop of Induna has always been very fast and flowing with some of the area?s finest trails all mixed together. The youngsters go really hard at the start, this saw a small lead group form, there were about 8 riders at the head of the race namely Ben Melt Swanepoel (specialised), Pieter Seyffert, Charles Keey, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Paul Cordes (all MTN), HB Kruger and Lowveld rising star Lourens Luus, we were all together through the first tech zone at 40km, shortly after that I put in a surge in to see who had good legs on the day, I was surprised as the field split up real quick and I managed to ease out a gap. With 80km to go and 2200 meters of climbing left I knew it would not be any use riding in a group, so I just set about at my own steady pace and it seemed to work well as the time gaps increased. Starting the last loop I got a good time check and knew that barring any mechanicals or a stupid mistake I would be able to take home the big win. So from there on out I just tried to really savour the feeling of being out there in one of my favourite areas. ? ? Max Knox team GHOST-DOITNOW
Candice Neethling (Team bizhub) showed her cross country prowess and took the lead from the start.
On the first lap I was riding alongside Ezster Elderly(TeamMTN/Qhubeka) as we fought for 2nd position out on course. The race positions stayed like this as we completed the first 45km loop through the start/finish area.
Ester put in a hard effort on the following short sharp climb opening a small gap on me. The climb was quickly followed by a tricky single track alongside the river. Before the single track Ezster was still in sight but on it, her skill made her vanish in the wink of an eye.
From there on I was on my own chasing the two leaders out in front. I did manage to make contact with them again but unfortunately this was after the finish line J Candice managed to stay in the lead until the end to take the victory at the Big Induna marathon, while Ezster Elderly followed home in 2nd place and me in 3rd. I am happy to make the podium at such a great event and am looking forward to the 2012 edition already. ? Yolandi du Toit team BIZHUB
Source: http://www.sportsguide.co.za/2384
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