![\"ccs-62657-0-83236300-1437063227.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-83236300-1437063227-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Three time defending South African downhill champion Tiaan Odendaal is in a positive and relaxed mood ahead of the upcoming 2015 Stihl South African Mountain Bike Championships presented by Subaru Cape Town\/Novus Holdings on Sunday 19 July. Anthony Grote\/Gameplan Media<\/span>\n<\/div>\nRacing in the Western Cape wine town of Stellenbosch is not unfamiliar to Odendaal who is excited that they will be racing on a new course come Sunday\u2019s final run and with a few of the South Africa\u2019s top downhill riders expected to be taking part Odendaal understands that the competition will be a tough one.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have ridden in Stellenbosch on a number of occasions in the past so it isn\u2019t going to be anything new for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have laid out a new course which is exciting however I am used to the conditions and the terrain there so I am not too worried about having to adjust from back home.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we are expecting Sam (Bull) and Stefan (Garlicki) to be coming back from overseas for the race which means that they should be the biggest competition for me however I am not putting any pressure on myself and I am just looking forward to racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is great having some of the top guys back to take part and it just means that the competition is stronger,\u201d an unperturbed Odendaal mentioned.<\/p>\n
With a hat trick of national titles to his name going for a fourth could potentially add another dimension in terms of pressure yet Odendaal does not see the race in that light and will approach the event like he would any other race.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just another bike race for me,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe have been doing this for a couple of years and my coach and I are not looking at this race any differently.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy build-up has been really good and I am going to lean back on that when I am ready to race!\u201d\u2028\u2028A Western Cape winter is slightly unpredictable and with some unfavourable weather predicted for the weekend Odendaal understands that he might have some slippery conditions to negotiate however he is not too phased by this.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spent five months in Europe last year so I am not too worried about the rain and it is something that I have had to handle before.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing I am a little worried about is the cold! I hate the cold so that is something that I am going to have to overcome should it be an issue,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n