Events

Stefan Garlicki wins Round One of SA National DH Series

· By Press Office · 1 comment

Stefan Garlicki (Investec) won Round One of the South African National DH series at Helderberg Farm on a testing track on Sunday 28 February. Garlicki made it two-from-two at the venue (he won Round One of the 2016 Western Province Downhill series there two weeks ago) when he beat Jonathan Philogene and Johann Potgieter with a time of 02:53.277.

ccs-62657-0-93130100-1456749294.jpgStefan Garlicki through the rock garden.Ewald Sadie | www.esphotography.co.za

“It was wild!” commented the 2015 SA National Downhill Champion after the event. “I don’t think I’ve ridden a track anywhere in the world that was as loose as that,” he said, explaining how the weather had been hot and dry in the lead up to the race, making for extremely dusty conditions on the day.

“It was tough and really really happy to put it all together because it wasn’t easy to put it together on that track,” said Garlicki.

“The track was quite different from the one we had two weeks ago,” Garlicki said. “And, the conditions were completely different – two weeks ago it rained so it made everything nice and tacky, today was hot and dusty.”

“I was completely out of control through some sections, especially because of the dust,” he said, adding that the last section was of the quality of a World Cup track. “It was that good and I really feel that it is going to elevate the level here.”

ccs-62657-0-51617500-1456749294.jpgRika Olivier blazing her way to a 03:50.924. Ewald Sadie | www.esphotography.co.za

The women’s event was won by Rika Olivier who dominated the field with a winning time of 03:50.924, fast enough for 39th overall!

Organisers were very happy with how the success of the event, with some 85 riders from across the country making the trip. “A big thank you to our partners Holdfast, Squirt, BMT Bike Shop, Red Bull and now Dazzne South Africa,” said organiser Riaan du Preez. We had riders from Namibia, Gauteng, Limpopo, KZN, the Free State and even Plett making this more than just a national but a true international dusty downhill round one,” he concluded.

Results

Elite Men

1. Stefan Garlicki 02:53.277 WC
2. Jonathan Philogene 02:58.730 KZN
3. Johann Potgieter 02:59.845 WC
4. Theo Erlangsen 03:00.487 WC
5. Adi Van Der Merwe 03:01.815 WC

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All photos by Ewald Sadie | www.esphotography.co.za.

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Comments

Guest

Feb 29, 2016, 12:54 PM

Was a super dusty yet great riding day up there yesterday. Well done to all riders who participated!!

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