Swedish National Cross Country Mountain Bike Champion Emil Lindgren is in South Africa ahead of this weekend’s opening leg of the STIHL SA Cup Series in Port Elizabeth and the Kargo Pro MTB ace is relishing taking on some of the country’s top local talent.
Swedish National Champ and Kargo Pro MTB ace Emil Lindgren is eager to kick start his seven week South African trip with a strong showing at the opening leg of the 2015 SA MTB Cup Series in Port Elizabeth this weekend. // Supplied/ Gameplan Media.
Lindgren is looking forward a busy seven week stint on South African shores and is eager to put in a good first performance in Kargo colours in the team’s backyard.
“”It’s great to finally be here, I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a long time!” said Lindgren.
“Every year of my professional career I’ve started off in Cyprus but it is nice to try something a little different this year.”
A change in scenery and joining his new team for the first time however aren’t the greatest obstacles Lindgren is forced to overcome ahead of the weekend’s racing.
“To me it doesn’t matter where the team comes from, so long as they are looking to race the World Cup circuit. My previous team was based in the Netherland and it wasn’t an issue.
“I’m just looking to ride my bike and be part of a group of people also looking to do well and achieve their goals.
“Coming from sub-zero temperatures back home, the heat here is however something that takes a little getting used to!
“You have to get the body to adjust to the heat at some stage during the season though rather sooner than later.”
The Swedish star is familiar with many of the top South African cross country riders and is looking forward to a tough tussle with them both in Port Elizabeth this weekend and throughout his South African trip.
“I’ve raced against most of the South African guys at World Cups before so I know them quite well. They’ll also be on home turf so they will be tough to beat.
“I’ve done a couple of laps on the Port Elizabeth course and it’s a tough one so I’m looking forward to the challenge!” said Lindgren.
Kargo Pro MTB team members William Mokgopo, Alan Hatherly and Brendon Davids have been in good form of late and will be hoping to impress in the under-23 men’s race at this weekend’s opening leg of the 2015 SA MTB Cup Series in Port Elizabeth. // Supplied/ Gameplan Media.
While the Eastern Cape assignment is foremost in Lindgren’s mind, the Kargo flyer is relishing a return to the ABSA Cape Epic with team mate Brendon Davids shortly afterwards.
“I’ve done the Epic before, I like the race a lot, I’ve done a lot of long rides in training recently and I know how to race that sort of race so I’m really excited to go back there after the cross country race in Port Elizabeth!”
For Davids and the rest of the Kargo locals, this weekend’s SA Cup Series clash provides them with an opportunity to test the off and pre-season conditioning.
Davids and his fellow under-23 team mates Alan Hatherly and William Mokgopo have been in sublime form of late and are relishing the opportunity to race in Momsen Bike country while Kargo’s junior star Marco Joubert has his sights firmly set on a podium finish when he takes on the challenge on his home turf.
More info is available at www.peschlracing.com.
Show more photos of the Vipa.
Would like to see how the wiring for the groupset and shock was done.