![\"ccs-62657-0-59745500-1432731789.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-59745500-1432731789.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nJunior Women’s rider Frankie du Toit (Team Time Freight) is feeling confident heading into the 2015 KwaZulu-Natal MTB Championships (XCO), which takes place at Cascades MTB Park, Pietermaritzburg on 30 May. \/\/ Photo credit: Gavin Ryan\/Quick Pix.<\/span><\/p>\n The cross-country discipline requires a certain level of skill and fitness, and local riders at the sharp-end of the sport are expected to be on their best form in order to challenge the top positions in mountain biking\u2019s only Olympic discipline.<\/p>\n Representing the Veteran Women\u2019s category is 2013 Masters XCO World Champion, Natalie Bergstrom. \u201cOf course I will be racing. I love cross-country!\u201d said the Ballito rider who plans to defend her provincial title. \u201cI plan to win again as I am unbeaten since 2012,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Jowetts Cycles Team rider also won the silver medal at the 2014 Masters World Champs in Norway, and is more than ready to compete in this year\u2019s Masters\u2019 World Champs in August. \u201cI need to race as much as possible to prepare for World Champs in Andorra, Spain,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Young and talented junior rider, Julian Jessop, will also be competing and is ready for the challenge. \u201cI\u2019m really keen to race. I haven\u2019t raced here in a while so I\u2019m very excited.\u201d<\/p>\n Racing for Specialized Concept Cyclery, the La Lucia resident is also feeling fairly comfortable with the field. \u201cTwo of our top riders, Brendon Davids and Alan Hatherly will not be here, so it will be interesting to see how the racing plays out,\u201d he said. \u201cEven though we\u2019re in different categories, I was keen to measure my lap times against those riders to gauge my performance.\u201d<\/p>\n Kargo Pro MTB Team\u2019s Alan Hatherly is currently in Europe for World Cup season. Hatherly claimed the 2014 Junior Provincial Champion title, and is riding this year in the u23 Category.<\/p>\n The u18 SA Marathon Champion enjoys the Cascades track because it\u2019s not easy. \u201cIt\u2019s quite technical, and quite hard, but I love a challenge,\u201d said Jessop.<\/p>\n Jessop has a great sense of balance when it comes to school and training as well. \u201cI try to fit in training six times a week with some core strength sessions as well. Sometimes I will train for an hour and a half before school.\u201d<\/p>\n Also looking to defend her 2014 title is Time Freight Team rider, Frances \u201cFrankie\u201d du Toit. The Wartburg heroine is optimistic about her race. \u201cI\u2019m feeling fairly confident heading into the Champs, my form is good and my legs are good, and I\u2019m super excited to race,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Cascades MTB Park is situated next to the Cascades Shopping Centre, with a number of boutique shops and cafes to accommodate spectators and families alike. The track provides the fundamental building blocks of XCO racing for new riders as well. From sitting and pedaling, to drop-offs and line choice \u2013 riders young and old, novice and professional, are able to challenge themselves and grow into brilliant mountain bike riders. The network of trails at Cascades MTB Park has played host to numerous National and International Cup races, and the people of KwaZulu-Natal are always reminded of how luck they are to have this spectacular course in their own backyard.<\/p>\n Event details:<\/strong><\/p>\n Date: 30 May 2015<\/p>\n Province: KwaZulu-Natal<\/p>\n Location: Cascades MTB Park<\/p>\n Entries Close: 27 May 2015<\/p>\n Starting Time: 08:00<\/p>\n Registration: Cascades, 06:30-10:00<\/p>\n Late Entries: Yes<\/p>\n Timed By: Elite Timing<\/p>\n ROAG Registration: No<\/p>\n Event Website: http:\/\/www.kznmtb.co.za\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Junior Men’s rider, Julian Jessop (Specialized Concept Cyclery) hopes to take the Junior Men’s title at the 2015 KZN XCO Championships which takes place at Cascades MTB Park, Pietermaritzburg, on 30 May. \/\/ Photo credit: Gavin Ryan\/Quick Pix<\/span>\n<\/div>\n