Andrew Hill is looking forward to challenging for a third consecutive triumph in the STIHL Sharks Trail Adventure’s 40km half marathon mountain bike race when the 2014 edition of the popular family day out takes place at Summerveld Estate in Shongweni on Sunday 7 December.
TIB Insurance’s Andrew Hill (front) is relishing the opportunity to make it three wins from three in the 40km Half Marathon MTB clash when the 2014 STIHL Sharks Trail Adventure takes place on Sunday 7 December. // Photo: Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media.
The upper highway local’s superior knowledge of the trails gives him a strong advantage annually however it is the TIB Insurance rider’s embodiment of the event’s unique end of year, festive atmosphere that has proven to be his greatest lucky charm.
“I’ll be there again this year; the Sharks Trail Adventure is definitely on my radar,” confirms Hill.
“I’ve won there a couple of years in a row now so it would be cool to try win it again!
“It’s also such a great event as a whole; a great family atmosphere and the perfect end of year day out for everyone so I’m looking forward to heading up to Summerveld again in a couple of weeks’ time,” he adds.
Having edged out good friends and regular training partners Leeroy Emslie and Quattro’s Tyron Bird in 2012 and 2013 respectively, Hill is looking forward to another competitive outing despite many of his fellow elite riders engaged in off-season breaks and pre-season programmes.
“A lot of guys are enjoying a bit of a break now and will start their base training period in a couple of weeks so while I won’t exactly be in top form in December, it’s nice to take part in the Sharks Trail Adventure for some excitement.
“I always factor the race in as part of my base training programme and see it as a very good training session.”
Hill knows the region’s trails well but believes the course builders’ efforts to keep the route fresh and entertaining annually means there will always being something new and exciting for participants to look forward to.
“A lot of guys ride through the area quite often throughout the year but the way in which the course builders link all those sections come race day can make the route seem brand new.
“Summerveld is also such a perfect venue to stage an event like this and if it’s a clear day, the views of Shongweni Dam and the surrounding valleys are amazing and really add immensely to the whole experience participants enjoy,” says Hill.
Once again Hill is set to line up on the 40km half marathon start line however the TIB Insurance star looks forward to seeing a continued growth in numbers throughout the day’s various events, particularly the 10km Family and 19km Intermediate rides.
“The more people we have entering events like this, the better it is for the entire sport so it’s great to see all the races of such a great event continuing to grow.
“There is something for everyone at the Sharks Trail Adventure and hopefully we’ll see plenty of people taking part in this year’s event once again, regardless of whether it is the 40km event or the 10km Family ride or even the trail runs.”
Having recently completed the FNB Wines2Whales stage race in the Western Cap and now midway through his off season, this weekend’s final leg of the 2014 Quattro ROAG Series – the Mountain Splendour Mania in the central Drakensberg – will be Hill’s final race outing before his Shongweni triple crown challenge in three weeks’ time.
The 2014 STIHL Sharks Trail Adventure takes place at Summerveld Estate, Shongweni on Sunday 7 December. Entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za and more information is available at www.sharkstrailadventure.co.za.
Best of luck to all participants.