![\"ccs-62657-0-28692300-1456678388.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-28692300-1456678388.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Samuel Gaze (NZL) of the S-Racing XCO team had a good start and led the seven-lap Elite Men’s race from the get-go during round two of the Stihl 2016 SA XCO Cup Series at Helderberg Farms, Somerset West, on Saturday 27 February. Photo credit: Chris Hitchcock<\/span><\/p>\nRiders from across the world took part, representing countries such as New Zealand, Netherlands, USA, Denmark, Namibia, Switzerland and Germany with a strong field of Elite riders. Not to be outdone, the Junior, Youth, Sprogs and Nippers classes were equally well supported as they took to the 4.90 kilometre course with an elevation gain of just over two hundred metres.<\/p>\n
Gaze, the 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist, had a good start and led the seven-lap race from the get go, finishing in a time of 01:30:18, with Philip Buys (Scott Factory Racing powered by LCB) and Danish rider Simon Andreassen (S-Racing XCO) jostling for second position. At the end of the fifth lap of the seven-lap race, Alan Hatherly (Kargo Pro MTB Team) launched an attack, which would ultimately see him claim second place 01:32:36), which was a fantastic result considering he worked his way through the field from 10th place in the opening lap.<\/p>\n
During the final lap, Buys managed to put some space between himself and Andreassen, finishing in third place (01:33:31) with Andreassen fourth (01:33:51) and Team Spur\u2019s James Reid (01:34:08) chasing hard and settling for fifth place.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe race went great for me, I felt in control from start to finish,\u201d said Gaze. \u201cIt\u2019s a great stepping stone for me, obviously, being the main preparation for the first of my selection races for the Olympic Games this year. I felt great the whole day and I\u2019m really happy with how things are tracking along. My coach, Christoph Sauser, and me have been working pretty hard to get things right. As for the rest of the race, it was run amazingly and the course was great. The guys put a great effort into the trails and I\u2019ll be back here training again sometime soon.\u201d<\/p>\n In the Elite Women\u2019s race, 41-year-old S\u00fcss \u2013 a former Mountain Bike Marathon World Champion and multiple winner of the Absa Cape Epic \u2013 claimed the victory in 01:32:35 after a solid performance over six laps when she passed South African National Champion, Cherie Vale (Novus OMX Pro Team) on the first lap. Vale worked hard to maintain the gap to under one minute in the following few laps, finishing overall under two minutes off the winning pace.<\/p>\n For Vale, who fell ill just prior to the opening round of the Series at Mankele, she looked back to her usual self and had a strong start with equally strong competition, finishing in 01:34:26. Kargo Pro MTB team riders Frankie du Toit and Hayley Smith, both unfortunately took a tumble in the opening lap, which set them back and saw them working through the field as the race progressed. Genevieve van Coller put on an excellent performance to finish in third place (01:39:47), holding off a rampant Du Toit.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m super chuffed with my result today,\u201d said Vale. \u201cI was looking forward to the race at Helderberg because it is pretty much my home ground, well for now, because I\u2019m moving to Pietermaritzburg tomorrow. I\u2019m still on a high from getting married last week and then having such amazing support this week. John Wakefield helped immensely with my preparations, taking us out on the track on Tuesday and doing some hot laps. I\u2019ve really been able to just focus on racing this week and my heart was set on doing well. I was focussed on the start and Esther was strong. I wanted to see how long I could stay. It\u2019s great to see so many more women racing and I\u2019m especially happy for Genevieve\u2019s 3rd place today.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss the third round of the Stihl 2016 SA XCO Cup Series, to be hosted by the Tshwane Metropole and taking place at Wolwespruit Mountain Bike and Trail Park in Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, on 27 March. More details of the Stihl 2016 National Cup Series can be found here: http:\/\/www.cyclingsa.com\/2016-sa-mtb-cup-series<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>A strong field of Pro-Elite Men riders from across the world took part, representing countries such as New Zealand, Netherlands, USA, Denmark, Namibia, Switzerland and Germany during round two of the Stihl 2016 SA XCO Cup Series at Helderberg Farms, Somerset West, on Saturday 27 February. Photo credit: Chris Hitchcock<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>41-year-old Esther S\u00fcss (SUI) \u2013 a former Mountain Bike Marathon World Champion and multiple winner of the Absa Cape Epic \u2013 claimed the Elite Women’s victory in 01:32:35 during round two of the Stihl 2016 SA XCO Cup Series at Helderberg Farms, Somerset West, on Saturday 27 February. Photo credit: Chris Hitchcock<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>South African National Champion, Cherie Vale (Novus OMX Pro Team) leading eventual race winner Esther S\u00fcss (Wheeler) of Switzerland during round two of the Stihl 2016 SA XCO Cup Series at Helderberg Farms, Somerset West, on Saturday 27 February. Photo credit: Chris Hitchcock<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Pro-Elite Men’s podium from left: Philip Buys (Scott Factory Racing powered by LCB – 3rd), Samuel Gaze (S-Racing XCO – 1st) and Alan Hatherly (Kargo Pro MTB Team – 2nd) with Specialized Performance Director Christoph Sauser during round two of the Stihl 2016 SA XCO Cup Series at Helderberg Farms, Somerset West, on Saturday 27 February. Photo credit: Chris Hitchcock<\/span><\/p>\n