![\"ccs-62657-0-80439100-1456084050.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-80439100-1456084050.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>World Downhill hero Greg Minnaar joined in for the first run at St. Ives MTB Park for the first round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial DHI Series \u2013 presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles on Sunday 21 February. Photo: supplied.<\/span><\/p>\nThe scorching KwaZulu-Natal sun pierced through the trees and tents on the day, enough to leave a few pink patches on spectators, but the crisp mountain breeze made it much more bearable for the riders. Riders had to complete two runs down the hill side with the fastest run determining their result.<\/p>\n
Only able to do one run before catching a flight, local and international Downhill hero, Greg Minnaar started off the day with a difficult-to-match time of 01:32.95. The first few runs after Minnaar weren\u2019t close enough to be a worry, although the super competitive Vets Men category provided the always-expected entertainment as they battled each other for the top position.<\/p>\n
Then the crowd went silent, but the silence soon changed to cheers of excitement when youngest Philogene brother, Christopher, beat Minnaar\u2019s time at a whopping 01:29.45 in his first run. \u201cToday started off very good,\u201d said Philogene. \u201cThe weather in the morning was overcast, the track was tacky until the first run it got a bit dry,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
<\/a>17-year-old Christopher Philogene (centre) wowed the crowds when he came home with the fastest Junior time, beating 3rd placed Cullen McMaster (left) and second placed Sharjah Jonsson (right), as well as claiming the overall rider time of the day at the first round of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial DHI Series \u2013 presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles at St. Ives on Sunday 21 February. Photo: supplied<\/span>\n<\/div>\nPhilogene said that he was \u201cstoked\u201d when he came across the finish line. \u201cI found out that I beat Greg (Minnaar) even though I don\u2019t know if he was trying his hardest but I was stoked,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The 17-year-old had only great things to say about the venue: \u201cSt. Ives is awesome, there\u2019s a \u2018lekker\u2019 view of the track and a great vibe here, especially and the Greg Minnaar Cycles tent and the music playing, and the BOS energy drinks was all so nice. I\u2019m really looking forward to the next one at Giba Gorge as well \u2013 it\u2019s my favourite track.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the Elite Men gave a solid effort for both runs, Philogene managed to hold onto the hotseat for the rest of the day, pipping Elite Men\u2019s Tiaan Odendaal.<\/p>\n
Sub Vets Men winner, Craig Paul said: \u201cYesterday, the Enduro was terrible for me \u2013 I just wasn\u2019t fit enough so I puzzled a bit and I was destroyed by the cross-country riders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today went much better for Paul. \u201cIt was great to win my category, but I still got smoked by the kids,\u201d he said. In the same breath, he mentioned how impressed he was at the level of riding and how its been improving. \u201cThere\u2019s a group of guys out there every weekend pushing each other, and it shows in the results now. They\u2019re all cracking top tens and top fives, and its really good to see,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Paul was happy with the turnout over the weekend as well. \u201cWith 87 riders in the Downhill and 124 in the Enduro, its awesome to see both disciplines growing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kathryn Fourie, who won the Sub Vets Women category, had made a major recovery overnight as she had fallen ill and could not take part in the Enduro the day before. \u201cIt went pretty good,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIts different hitting it at race pace because the course is short but its quite intense and you\u2019ve got to learn the corners quite well, and it changes quite a lot as time goes on,\u201d she added. Fourie also received her South African colours for her performance in the World Masters Downhill Championships last year.<\/p>\n
Fourie had practiced the course the week before. \u201cI even practiced the jump that I did my AC joint on last time \u2013 that was my big nemesis and I never finished my run last year. It went really well. At a fast pace the open corners were more difficult so that was definitely something we had to control during our race runs. In the end I got two almost identical times. I don\u2019t think I could have gone any faster to be honest, but I\u2019m just really happy I didn\u2019t end up in the hospital,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n
The laughter and camaraderie among the downhill riding community echoed through the midlands forest all the way from the top of the hill to the finish line, throughout each and every age group. Nipper Boys winner Caleb Archer, said: \u201cI love downhill racing. My favourite downhill track is Cascades. Today\u2019s race was very nice, and fun, and cool, but mostly fast.<\/p>\n
Round two of the 2016 KZNMTB Provincial DHI Series \u2013 presented by Greg Minnaar Cycles takes place at Giba Gorge MTB Park (near Pinetown) on Sunday 27 March.<\/p>\n
Entries are open and close on Wednesday 23 March 2016. (http:\/\/www.roag.co.za\/eventinfo.aspx?EventID=1727<\/a>). For any further details, please visit www.kznmtb.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information, contact Rebecca van der Linde info@kznmtb.co.za.<\/p>\n