![\"ccs-62657-0-15590900-1437031474.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-15590900-1437031474-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nKargo Pro MTB’s Alan Hatherly has put his name firmly into the elite hat at the upcoming 2015 Stihl South African Mountain Bike Championships presented by Subaru Cape Town\/Novus Holdings on Saturday 18 July. Anthony Grote\/Gameplan Media.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2028\u2028Hatherly has stated clearly that he is aiming to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics and with it being more viable to compete in the elite category he understands that it will be a difficult task and with the chance to qualify he understands the importance of the upcoming national championships.<\/p>\n \u201cThe national champs are one of the biggest criteria when it comes to qualifying.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are 110 UCI points available for the winner so that makes it hugely valuable at this stage however anything can happen on the day and I know that the standard is going to be right up there,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Stellenbosch is not too foreign for the KwaZulu-Natal based rider although it has been a number of years since he rode in the Western Cape town.<\/p>\n The weather is another aspect that Hatherly has had to take into consideration before heading down to the winelands however he is not putting too much emphasis on it and believes that it will not be too much of a hindrance should it appear.<\/p>\n \u201cI have overcome my weather issues,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cI am going into the raced prepared for anything at the end of the day.<\/p>\n \u201cI have not ridden in Stellenbosch in a long time but I have been watching some pre race footage and I will have a bit of time on the course before the race as well as some photos to go on so it shouldn\u2019t be too foreign when we start racing.\u201d<\/p>\n Hatherly achieved his best result at a World Cup in Switzerland recently with a 17th place overall and first Under-19 and the youngster is grateful for the exposure that he is getting mixing it with the best in the age division.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing exposed to the best riders from Europe in my age category is great as it gives me insight into how they compete and race.<\/p>\n \u201cI was amongst the top 10 for a couple of the laps in Switzerland and it was something that I really appreciated and my biggest goal for the World Cup\u2019s is to get into that top 10 bracket.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a few more shots at getting into that bracket after the SA Champs,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n The racing will be tough at the front of the field and Hatherly understands that all of the riders have the same goal in mind however with team mate Brendon Davids in the race there could be room for some team tactics.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t thought about any Kargo team plans as of yet and I understand that it could be every man for himself out there but we will see when we get out there,\u201d he concluded. \u2028\u2028<\/p>\n