![\"ccs-62657-0-32393300-1459314732.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-32393300-1459314732.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Elite Men downhill rider from KwaZulu-Natal Jonathan Philogene (2 Bro’s Racing) descended the ultra steep course in 01:35.43 to take the overall men’s victory at round two of the SA Downhill Cup Series at Giba Gorge MTB Park near Pinetown on Sunday 27 March. Photo credit: Andrew McFadden<\/span><\/p>\nWith a field of 90 riders lining up to start, an incredible day out was had by all from the Masters Category all the way down the youngest rider, who hails from the Western Cape, eight-year-old Benjamin Wolfson. Standing atop the Overall Men and Women\u2019s podiums were Jonathan Philogene (Elite) and Kathryn Fourie (Sub Veteran), who descended the ultra steep course in 01:35.43 and 02:24.22 respectively.<\/p>\n
Philogene wasn\u2019t aware that only moments before his own run, his brother was in the hot seat until Western Cape rider Johann Potgieter posted a quicker time than him. \u201cI do know what Chris is capable of so I was a little worried because we are pretty close with our riding abilities. I expected him to be right up there, I\u2019d never count anything out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was stoked for him, I really was,\u201d said the younger Philogene, Christopher. \u201cThe overall race was there for him to take and he got it, so I\u2019m stoked for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both brothers are now off to take part in the African Continental MTB Championships in Lesotho next weekend. \u201cI was fortunate enough to go last weekend for a few days, and I noticed how the altitude makes a huge difference. That\u2019s why we\u2019re going early this week to acclimatise,\u201d said Jonathan.<\/p>\n In a fit of laughter, Elite Women\u2019s winner, Kim Westbrook said: \u201cI actually didn\u2019t think I was going to make it down the hill half the time. Everything I tried was just wrong so I ended up just skidding down the hill.\u201d<\/p>\n Westbrook said that the track was steep, rocky, and very loose. \u201cI just didn\u2019t have a head for it today. But I did my best, I got on my bike, I went down the hill, I crashed, I got back on my bike, got to the bottom, and then I did it all again, but I had a really good time out there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Sub Junior Women\u2019s winner and second over all woman, Sabine Thies said: \u201cIt was pretty good, dusty and bumpy, but lots of fun. I managed to shave off five seconds from my first run on my second, which was great.\u201d<\/p>\n Thies said that she would love to see herself on top of the podium for Elite Women, and to get the SA Champs behind her for Downhill, Cross Country and Enduro.<\/p>\n Leaving early to get used to the altitude as well, Thies also heads off to Lesotho ahead of the weekend\u2019s African Continental Champs.<\/p>\n<\/a>Johann Potgieter (Fox Racing) held the hot seat for some time before being tippled near the end at round two of the SA Downhill Cup Series at Giba Gorge MTB Park near Pinetown on Sunday 27 March. Photo credit: Andrew McFadden<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Local rider Kathryn Fourie, who races in the Sub Veteran category, claimed the overall women’s victory in 02:24.22 at round two of the SA Downhill Cup Series at Giba Gorge MTB Park near Pinetown on Sunday 27 March. Photo credit: Andrew McFadden<\/span><\/p>\n