2015 KZNMTB Downhill 2 at St Ives

The second round of the 2015 KZNMTB Downhill series presented by NMI-DSM took place in the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands at St Ives Mountain Bike Park on the 22nd March. The bike park with trails maintained by Big Wheel Cycles has only been open for 6 months and presented a brand new challenge to the 84 strong field. Practice on Saturday saw a dry and dusty track with loose corners beginning to blow out on the short, but exceptionally entertaining track. That all changed come raceday on Sunday though, with 50mm of rain falling overnight turning morning practice on Sunday into a veritable ice-rink. The sun was out however, with track conditions changing fast, so that when the gate dropped for the first riders race run a snaking trail of hero dirt awaited!

Nicholas Camp dividing the natural bush at the top of the track (Image - InkBlack Photography)

Nipper (Under 10) rider Cameron Curtis gets nose-heavy out of the top rock garden (Image - Philanthropic's)

Development rider Mthokozisi Christopher Mkhize cutting inside one of the berms midway on track (Image - InkBlack Photography)

Current series leader Tiaan Odendaal (Leisure Lakes Bikes) continued his fine form taking overall top honours on the day with a time of 1.26.51, fending off a charging Tim Bentley (Fox Head SA) who ended 2 seconds adrift. Andrew Martin in his first year in the senior ranks had a storming run taking the bronze medal with a time of 1:32.79. Although short on time the new track was a highlight for the riders with tons of berms and flowing fast sections keeping all the riders on their toes.

Third place Andrew Martin slaying one of the berms (Image - InkBlack Photography)

Tim Bentley on his way to 2nd overall. (Image - InkBlack Photography)

Series leader Tiaan Odendaal sending the large stepdown at the bottom of the track. (Image - InkBlack Photography)

In the ladies an 8 rider strong field began practice with current series leader Kathryn Fourie looking to again assert her dominance. It was not to be however as she crashed out hard with a broken collarbone leaving the top spot open for the picking. Joanne Hicks took up the charge and posted a respectable time of 2:13.94 to secure 3rd on the day. Sabine Thies (Greg Minnaar Racing) put in a sterling run for silver, but it was Kim Westbrook who took the top spot on the podium being the only lady to break the 2 minute barrier with a time of 1:59.55

Joanne Hicks on her way to third in the ladies (Image - InkBlack Photography)

Ladies winner Kim Westbrook sending the upper rocks (Image - Philanthropic's)

Overall Mens Podium. (Image - Philanthropic's)

Overall Ladies Podium (Image - Philanthropic's)

Mthokozisi Christopher Mkhize receiving a prize from the sponsors. (Image - Philanthropic's)

The view of St Ives Venue (stives.co.za)

KZNMTB would like to thank its sponsors, NMI-DSM, Shreddtech, Elite Athlete Performance, and Pyga for the prizes, and a huge thank you to the park owners at St Ives Restaurant and Wedding venue as well as Big Wheel Cycles for the trail preparations. The series now moves to Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park outside Durban for round 3 on the 19th April. Aldine Venter (Ink Black Photographic) and Elizabeth Cartwright (Philanthropic's) are thanked for the images.