![\"ccs-62657-0-62403400-1487827327.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-62403400-1487827327.jpg\")
<\/a>Men’s u23 British National Champion Frazer Clacherty looks forward to racing on South African soil at the first round of the 2017 SA National XCO Cup Series in Paarl on Saturday 25 February. Photo: Supplied<\/span><\/p>\nMen\u2019s u23 British National Champion Frazer Clacherty, who has visited the country only once before when he was a youngster, is currently staying with family in the Cape.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t been to the course yet but I have been told its most likely going to be super hot and dusty on race day. I\u2019m hoping that it\u2019s going to be a fast course so the heat won\u2019t feel as bad, as it\u2019s a lot different to the UK out here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Clacherty is hoping to retain his National Championship title this year, as well as a consistent top 15 in the World Cups. He is also wishing for a top 10 at the 2017 UCI MTB World Championships in Australia in September.<\/p>\n
Focus XC Team rider Marcel Guerrini considers South Africa his second home, as he has been training in Stellenbosch for the past few years. \u201cIt\u2019s the perfect place to train over the off season and prepare your build for the season. For me its the not only the weather that makes Stellenbosch so nice, its the combination from trails, food, weather, and so many good guys like Nino Schurter, Christoph Sauser and a lot more that you can train with.\u201d<\/p>\n
With 2017 being his first year in the Elite category, Guerinni wants to keep his goals realistic, despite his successful 2016 season. \u201cI had a pretty good season World Cups with a win in Andorra and third overall, as well as third place at the World Championships in Nove Mesto,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He hopes to be perfectly prepared and give it his all at the first World Cup in Nove Mesto this year, and judge from there where he needs to aim for. \u201cMy main goal would be to qualify for the World Championships in Cairns. Just to have the chance to be selected you have to ride top 15 at World Cup. And after that, we have eight places because of Nino\u2019s World Championship title. So let\u2019s see what\u2019s possible,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
Nico Z\u00fcnd is headed for the country for his first time, and looks so forward to exploring the country. \u201cEven if I didn\u2019t make the decision to do the race here, I would have still wanted to visit South Africa,\u201d said the Swiss National.<\/p>\n
When chatting briefly about XCO racing, Z\u00fcnd said: Its always one of the best feelings – to push yourself to the limit in a race. I like it because it feels so good if you go over your own limit but have fun at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n
2017 is a very special year for Z\u00fcnd as it\u2019s his last year as a Junior, but plans to push himself hard to get the maximum out for great results.<\/p>\n