Events

Johann Potgieter wins WC Downhill round three

· By Press Office · 7 comments

The evergreen Johann ‘Pottie’ Potgieter won the third event in the 2016 Western Province Downhill series held at Cascade Country Manor in Paarl, on Sunday 10 April, in a time of 02:03.643. The three-time South African National Downhill Mountain Bike Champion edged out Theo Erlangsen (02:09.785) and Adi Van Der Merwe (02:12.118).

With the likes of Stefan Garlicki and Andrew Neethling absent due to their European World Cup campaigns, the field was wide open and Pottie, ever the wily old pro, took full advantage.

“The track was dry and was a whole lot slipperier than I thought it would be,” Pottie commented afterward “I had a really good seeding run,” he explained. “But, I knew Adi was quite close so I would have to put in some pedal strokes in the final run.”

ccs-62657-0-73246400-1460446064.jpgJohann ‘Pottie’ Potgieter. Photo credit: Ewald Sadie | www.esphotography.co.za

The track at Cascades Manor is steep and physical and ran fast on an unseasonably hot (35-degrees) April Sunday. It features a hardpack surface but has a loose top layer of marble-sized stones which resulted in quite a few crashes. “You do have to keep concentrating the whole time because it’s so slippery. But, it’s a really fun course – there is always something happening,” said Pottie.”

“The finals came and I hit all the corners sweet and pedalled hard where it counted and took two seconds off my seeding time which was enough for the win,” he said. “I’m really happy with how the day went.”

“Thanks to Western Province Downhill and to all my sponsors – Mongoose, Omnico, Dragon Energy, Von Zipper, Seattle Coffee Company, Skull Candy and Fox Head South Africa – for making it possible for me,” he said.

Aside from being on the top step of the podium, Pottie – who is known as a true character in the downhill community – thoroughly enjoyed the vibe at the Western Province DH event. “I haven’t done a provincial in a very long time, so it was really cool to see all the people and talk a bit of nonsense and socialise and stuff,” he said.

WP Downhill #3

Elite Men

1. Johann Potgieter 02:03.643
2. Theo Erlangsen 02:09.785
3. Adi Van Der Merwe 02:12.118
4. Francois du Toit 02:13.412
5. Coenie Slabbert 02:15.225

Women

1. Rika Olivier 02:49.095
2. Simone Futter 02:59.457
3. Tracey Hill 03:44.318
4. Leigh Haskins 03:52.096
5. Charlotte Wolfson 04:43.608

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Photos: Ewald Sadie | www.esphotography.co.za.

Comments

NicoBoshoff

Apr 12, 2016, 7:54 AM

Very nice Pottie.  And great shots as always by Mr. Sadie.

Skott5

Apr 12, 2016, 7:58 AM

Quite a few Single Crown Enduro Bikes in the mix there .. 

Guest

Apr 12, 2016, 8:26 AM

Very cool and congrats Pottie!!

Where is a pic of the Enduro class Winner?!

Guest

Apr 12, 2016, 8:27 AM

Ewald is da man ;)

Super_mil

Apr 12, 2016, 8:58 AM

Lekker, lekker Oom Sadie 

NicoBoshoff

Apr 12, 2016, 8:59 AM

Very cool and congrats Pottie!!

Where is a pic of the Enduro class Winner?!

Pretty much everywhere on Facebook :ph34r:

Headshot

Apr 12, 2016, 10:32 AM

Cool pics!

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