![\"ccs-62657-0-32065200-1435482888.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-32065200-1435482888-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Rourke Croeser (Team Full Dynamix) crosses the finish line in first place in the Elite Men’s race at the fourth round of the 2015 Stihl SA MTB Cup XCO at Cascades, Pietermaritzburg, on 27 June. Photo: Gavin Ryan\/Quick Pix<\/span>\n<\/div>\nCroeser surprised the crowds with his entry, as he arrived from Europe to race and then proceeded to take the Elite Men\u2019s victory ahead of Hatherly, who topped the series\u2019 points log. \u201cI arrived on Thursday evening \u2013 it was a late decision. KZN MTB managed to help me out to get me here,\u201d said Croeser.<\/p>\n
With his focus purely on Rio 2016, Croeser is doing all he can to prepare well. \u201cI really wanted to win, I need the points. I knew I had good form, but it was all about time management and racing properly and pacing myself well throughout the event,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Specialized Concept Cyclery rider, Julian Jessop, claimed the Junior Men\u2019s title and was thrilled with his result, but mentioned that it was far from easy. \u201cI had a good start \u2013 being first into the single track and then Matthew (Lombardi) passed me for a little bit. We finished the first lap with five people altogether in the lead group.<\/p>\n
On the main climb on the second lap, Jessop managed to break away from the group and keep a consistent gap of close to 30 seconds ahead of the second place position, which was claimed by Namibian rider Tristan de Lange. \u201cIt was tough and full of pain, but I\u2019m so happy to win,\u201d Jessop said.<\/p>\n
The Youth Men\u2019s category win was claimed by firecracker, Pieter du Toit (Kargo Pro MTB Team). Du Toit said: \u201cIt was a very nice race. I didn\u2019t have the best start but the climbs were really nice, and the technical sections were wonderful. One of the boys unfortunately fell just after the corkscrew section, which is where I managed to get away from the pack. The new pump track was wonderful to ride as well. A very big thanks to Team Kargo for the kit and all of the support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Setting the tone for the day, the women\u2019s races delivered fast paced action in very cold conditions at 10am. With Mariske Strauss watching from the sidelines wearing a moon boot, her Novus OMX Pro Team teammate Cherie Vale leapt out of the start gates and comfortably stretched her lead as the six-lap race progressed.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Novus OMX Pro Team and Women’s Elite rider, Cherie Vale,claimed the Elite Women’s victory in the last round round of the 2015 Stihl SA MTB Cup XCO at Cascades, Pietermaritzburg, on 27 June. Photo: Gavin Ryan\/Quick Pix<\/span>\n<\/div>\nChasing hard was Bianca Haw (Red Bull\/Specialized) and Hayley Smith (Bell) but Junior rider Frankie du Toit (Time Freight eTeam) also found herself in the mix, despite her category starting the race 2 minutes later than the Elite Women. Vale claimed the victory with Haw finishing second, six-and-a-half minutes back with a rampant Smith only 13-seconds back in third.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was a bit worried in the beginning, the legs felt a bit tight but I thought if I just push it on the climbs and descents that I could just recover a little,\u201d said Vale. \u201cI took it easy \u2013 I rode the rock garden well in the practice but I had an uneasy feeling in the race so I decided to take the B-line and it paid off because I was able to get the speed out of the rock garden with no hesitance. Once I opened the gap I just tried to drive for more time.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the support out there was fantastic and it is amazing what Nick (Floros) can do out there with the track, making it so different to what we\u2019re used to. It had a great flow and was well balanced and offers us great help in preparing to go and race overseas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Du Toit\u2019s remarkable lap times over four laps show immense promise for this young lady, and her solid victory placed her four minutes ahead of second placed Genevieve van Coller with Sabrina van Wyk collecting third.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a fast start and my aim was to get into the top singletrack first and I just put my head down and I went for it,\u201d said Du Toit. \u201cI managed to keep my lead until the very end, which was great. I caught some of the elite ladies and when I started seeing them, I just pushed harder. I\u2019ve been training hard and I\u2019m very happy to see it paying off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local lass Tiffany Keep (Pure Adventure Wear) took control of the Youth race from the onset, finishing with a five-minute lead over Danielle Strydom with Allison Morton third in the four-lap race.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very hard race, definitely very intense,\u201d said Keep. \u201cThis track was lots of fun and I really enjoyed it. It was very different to the normal courses that we have at Cascades. It was switched around and there was a section through the pump track, which was lots of fun. I really enjoyed it as a whole, and I\u2019m happy with the win.\u201d<\/p>\n