![\"ccs-62657-0-31290100-1438931262.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-31290100-1438931262-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>MTB Rooiberg offers a truly unforgettable bushveld mountain bike experience in true South African style.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cI haven\u2019t ridden at Rooiberg before but from what I\u2019ve seen and heard the terrain might be the biggest obstacle on the day in a field where anyone can win,\u201d said Looser.<\/p>\n
Looser\u2019s \u201canyone can win\u201d quip is apt. Each of the five rounds has had a different winner in this year\u2019s Series. World marathon champion, Alban Lakata (Topeak Ergon) of Austria won Round 1 at Meerendal, while Max Knox (Biogen Volcan) claimed Round 2 at Sabie. Germany\u2019s Stefan Sahm (Team Bulls) claimed Round 3 at Clarens, while Gawie Combrinck (EAI Cycling) and Rourke Croeser (Full Dynamix USN) captured Rounds 5 and 6 at Van Gaalen and Ballito respectively.<\/p>\n
Of those winners, Knox is the highest placed in the Series rankings at eighth. The seven ahead of him have all been consistently high finishers. The final series rankings will be decided on each rider\u2019s best five results.<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s men\u2019s winner, Darren Lill, the current leader in the King of the Mountains competition, and 2013 champion, Nico Bell (RECM), will be on the start line in an effort to defend and reclaim their titles respectively. Joining them will be, among others, South African champion, Combrinck, Waylon Woolcock, HB Kruger (Abanthu), Erik Kleinhans (RECM), Thinus Redlinghuys and the SCOTT LCB Racing pair of Philip Buys and Arno du Toit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe racing conditions at Rooiberg really suit me. I prefer the rugged conditions of course but this last week has been a bad one on the bike so this weekend might be hit or miss for me,\u201d said Combrinck. \u201cThe Seven Sisters climb has been the decider in previous years and I expect it is where things will happen again this year. I come from the Lowveld so the climbing works for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI reckon the course suits me ok. I did well last year even though I cut a tyre sidewall. I think the most important thing about the event is to look after the tyres as best as possible. The route is extremely littered with rocks and thorns so it\u2019s best to consider reliable tyres,\u201d cautioned Woolcock. \u201cOtherwise it’s one of those races where if you might be behind the leaders, don’t give up. Things can swing around in the blink of an eye.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the women\u2019s race Ariane Kleinhans (RECM), the 2014 winner, will be looking for a repeat victory and to challenge for the Series lead. The Swiss ace won the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series title in 2014, and had missed one round in 2015, placing her in second place currently behind South African Candice Neethling (Freewheel Cycology Pam Golding), who will be at Rooiberg.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t done the Rooiberg race before but I hear it is really rocky with short steep climbs and challenging singletrack. I quite like that kind of terrain as it requires a combination of skill and stamina,\u201d said Neethling.<\/p>\n
Another strong contender for the women\u2019s title is Robyn de Groot (Ascendis Health), the 2013 Rooiberg winner. She crossed the finish line first in 2014 but the title was awarded \u2018runner-up\u2019 Kleinhans after it was discovered De Groot had missed a route marker near the end and completed a slightly shorter route.<\/p>\n
“I think I\u2019m ready for Rooiberg. I had some big weeks recently and I really hope I didn\u2019t overcook it. You can easily underestimate this event if you just look at the elevation gain, but it is the rocky and technical sections that take their toll,\u201d said De Groot.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would think that coming from a road background, I would prefer more manicured trails, but I actually like the more technical, rocky stuff so I\u2019m looking forward to this one,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Other women expected to be in the podium hunt are the likes of Cherise Stander (RECM), Vera Adrian (BestMed) and Theresa Ralph (RBS).<\/p>\n
The Rooiberg venue, which is a two-hour drive north of Pretoria, is spread over more than 12 500 malaria-free hectares, comprising unspoilt bushveld in the shadow of the Waterberg Mountains. The route this year will incorporate additional trail networks around the Elandsberg Nature Reserve.<\/p>\n
In addition to the Ultra-marathon and the marathon, there\u2019s a 45km half-marathon, a 20km fun race and a 10km fun ride. Late entries can be done before the start at the new regstration venue Ukhutula Lodge.<\/p>\n
Round 6, Rooiberg, Waterberg:<\/strong>
Saturday 8 August 2015:<\/strong><\/p>\n
06h30-09h00: Registration and late entries
07h15: Riders briefing, leader jerseys handover
07h30 : Start Ultra-marathon Pro Elite and Amateur
07h40: Start Marathon women
08h00: Start Marathon A Batch + 5min intervals other batches
09h00: Start Half-marathon A Batch + 5min intervals other batches
09h40: Start 20km Fun Race
09h55: Start 10km Fun Ride<\/p>\n