The stunning trails of Howick were an excellent final venue for the last round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles on Saturday 21 May. Thirteen-year-old mountain bike trail star, Sabine ‘Beani’ Thies and Downhill racer, Tiaan Odendaal, took the overall women’s and men’s titles respectively.
Greg Minnaar Cycles/Pizzology Craft Café/Foxhead rider, Beani Thies, was elated to take the title. “I feel awesome – I’ve never gotten an overall victory before. It’s always been my goal to get an overall win. I’m pretty stoked,” she said.
Elite and overall men’s winner, Tiaan Odendaal, races to victory at the third and final round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles in Howick on Saturday 21 May. Photo Credit: Paul Botma
When asked about the day’s racing, Thies said: “The stages were definitely as tough as people said they would be. There was a lot of pedalling; they were very long, and quite tough with rocks and lots of drops.
“The first stage had a lot of rocks, and unfortunately I fell but I got back up and then I T-boned a rock, which didn’t end well but I still got a good time. The second stage was just as long but more through pine forests and lots of flowing sections. Stage three was the best of them all. “The Face” had lots of rocks!”
Thies mentioned that she has loved this year’s series, and that she has thoroughly enjoyed the tracks. “I would just like to say a huge thank you to the organisers. And of course to my sponsors – thank you for everything and for keeping us well hydrated. I can’t wait for another awesome year next year!”
The odds weren’t in everybody’s favour in the Men’s category, however as Junior Men’s overall log leader, Sharjah Jonsson’s luck took an unfortunate turn when a crash resulted in a wrist injury.
and overall Men’s winner, Tiaan Odendaal said: “The trails were pretty tough but enjoyable at the same time. The ride up was quite long, but not as steep as the Cascades Enduro, and it was really nice to just cruise up and chat with my friends.”
13-year-old Sabine Thies was the fastest Sub Junior and overall Women’s winner on the day at the third and final round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles in Howick on Saturday 21 May. Photo Credit: Paul Botma
Odendaal had entered the first Enduro at St. Ives, but had to pull out due to a mechanical, and didn’t enter the second round because of his major focus on the Downhill discipline.
“Today I decided to enter because one of my really good friends, Brian Bentley, has sponsored me a bike and helped me out. I might even be changing my major focus to Enduro, who knows?” he said.
Saturday’s Enduro in Howick culminated the three-part 2016 KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles, which consistently welcomed over 120 riders to each event, cementing the popularity of this growing sort in the province.
The next event is the once-off 2016 KZNMTB Provincial ENDURO Championships – presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles, and takes place at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday 2 July. More information and entry details can be found here: http://www.roag.co.za/eventinfo.aspx?EventID=1730.
Summary of Results – KZNMTB Provincial Enduro Cup Series #3 – 21 May 2016
Overall Men
1.Tiaan Odendaal (Senior) 21:58
2.Craig Paul (Sub Veteran) 22:11
3.Shane Martin (Senior) 22:52
4.Hilton Frost (Senior) 23:04
5.Keira Duncan (Youth) 23:30
Overall Women
1.Sabine Thies (Sub Junior) 26:37
2.Kim Westbrook (Senior) 28:11
3.Kathryn Fourie (Sub Veteran) 28:27
4.Charne Dreyer (Sub Junior) 29:46
5.Joanne Hicks (Sub Veteran) 32:25
Senior Men
1.Tiaan Odendaal 21:58
2.Shane Martin 22:52
3.Hilton Frost 23:04
Senior Women
1.Kim Westbrook 28:11
2.Tammy Sturrock 32:39
3.Lauren Hoyer 33:22
Junior Men
1.Dean Wortmann 25:31
2.Mitchell Meugens 26:05
Youth Men
1.Keira Duncan 23:30
2.Kayle Seaward 25:41
3.Mathew Green 27:51
Sub Junior Boys
1.Robert Jessop 28:18
2.Dreyer Botma 30:18
3.Kyle Brand 30:58
Sub Junior Girls
1.Sabine Thies 26:37
2.Charne Dreyer 29:46
Sub Veteran Men
1.Craig Paul 22:11
2.Duane Stander 23:34
3.Mark Millar 23:45
Sub Veteran Women
1.Kathryn Fourie 28:27
2.Joanne Hicks 32:25
3.Tamryn Taylor 32:57
Veteran Men
1.Oliver Burnett 24:34
2.Keith Diederichs 24:41
3.Patrick Morewood 24:42
Master Men
1.Brian Magor 27:02
2.Michael Frost 28:00
3.Guy Ronaldson 32:05
Grand Master Men
1.Ashley Nesbitt 30:49
2.Mike Staphorst 38:11
Nipper Boys
1.Omar Wilson 36:01
2.Logan Stander 37:47
3.Cameron Morewood 37:51
Sprog Boys
1.Nate Tanner Hall 30:16
2.Liam Tyler Hall 31:36
3.Keagan Brand 31:41
