![\"ccs-62657-0-78608800-1435065720.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-78608800-1435065720-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nAfter a cold and dry winter spell, race organisers wait for a little rain to settle the dust the XCO and DHI courses designed for the last round of the 2015 Stihl SA MTB Cup at Cascades MTB Park, Pietermaritzburg, on 27-28 June. \/\/ Photo credit: Craig Dutton\/pics2go.co.za.<\/span><\/p>\n The Cascades MTB Park, which has never failed to host world class events, will again play host to the last national MTB cup for the year. The spectator-friendly venue will put on display much of what KwaZulu-Natal has to offer in terms of great family fun. Sections of both the XCO and DHI courses are visible to the friends and families of those competing, and the Cascades Shopping Centre, right next door, provides a quick lunch, coffee, or even retail therapy break for those wishing to grab a bite or shop around.<\/p>\n The XCO event on Saturday will see one of the closest and most exciting finales in SA MTB Cup history, with very close points at the top of the log. The track will include many of the Cascades MTB Park XCO famous sections, such as Tree House and Red Lipped Herald \u2013 to name a few.<\/p>\n The DHI course will be a modified version of the 2013 Elite World Championships track, however, slightly shorter, beginning at the Wet Weather Start section. DHI riders are to take note that the track will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday for maintenance and inspection by the Chief Commissaire, but will be open again on Friday 26 June for official practice. For Friday and Saturday\u2019s practice, riders will need to stop and exercise caution before the last jump after the Money Maker section, in order to accommodate the XCO riders on the track. Practice on Sunday, however, will see the full course open.<\/p>\n An exciting XCO points log after three events will provide much excitement and anticipation for the finale at the last round of the 2015 Stihl SA MTB Cup Series at Cascades MTB Park, Pietermaritzburg, on 27-28 June. Photo \u00a9 Craig Dutton\/pics2go.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n Cycling SA and KZN MTB Commissaire, Morne Odendaal says that, although familiar, the track won\u2019t necessarily be an easy one. \u201cVery dry and dusty conditions still persist and certain sections of the track are becoming very tricky with ruts and holes deepening due to all the amount of riders using it,\u201d she said. In the same breath, Odendaal also mentioned that the organisers are also hoping that there isn\u2019t too much rain forecast for the weekend ahead.<\/p>\n Although there are no changes to the DHI on Sunday, pleased be advised of the changes in Saturday\u2019s XCO programme. The updated Standard Programme of Events can be downloaded here: http:\/\/www.cyclingsa.com\/s\/20150511_CSA-MTB-Std-Program-XCO-DHI-2015-4a-0ldm.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n