{"id":20002,"date":"2015-05-13T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2015-05-13T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2015\/05\/13\/stars-set-to-shine-at-11th-nedbank-sani2c-r2557\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T10:56:47","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T10:56:47","slug":"stars-set-to-shine-at-11th-nedbank-sani2c-r2557","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/stars-set-to-shine-at-11th-nedbank-sani2c-r2557\/","title":{"rendered":"Stars set to shine at 11th Nedbank sani2c"},"content":{"rendered":"

Much of South Africa\u2019s top mountain biking talent rolled into Himeville on Wednesday ahead Thursday\u2019s start of the Race event of the 2015 Nedbank sani2c while their more leisurely Adventure and Trail counterparts enjoyed their first and second stage outings respectively.<\/p>\n

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RECM women’s team stars Cherise Stander (right) and Ariane Kleinhans (left) relax in the Southern Drakensberg before their bid for the 2015 Nedbank sani2c women’s title. \/\/ Photo credit: Dave Macleod\/ Gameplan Media.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ominously in-form RECM teams were quietly confident as they wrapped up their final preparations, sizing up the prospect of podiums in both the men’s and women’s races – if not better.<\/p>\n

For Erik Kleinhans 2015 affords him the opportunity to erase the nightmare on 2014 when he and team mate Nico Bell saw their hopes of clinching the prized title evaporate in a high speed crash late on the second stage that left Kleinhans with sever shoulder injury.<\/p>\n

“Last year we came so close before the accident put a damper on everything,” said Kleinhans. “This is a major title and one that we really want to win.<\/p>\n

“This is such a difficult race to race because the younger cross country guys make it harder for us in the beginning on the single track. But we love that level of competition.”<\/p>\n

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Negotiating some of the single track was Daryl Irvin of Team Worm and Wormette during Wednesday’s second stage of the Trail of the 2015 Nedbank sani2c. \/\/ Photo credit: Kelvin Trautman\/ Gameplan Media.<\/span><\/p>\n

He added that most of the elite riders were in between peaks after the Cape Epic and the upcoming SA Marathon Championships, which would add a new dimension to the elite race.<\/p>\n

The RECM men’s team will find themselves drawn into a title tussle that looks certain to include the duo of Kevin Evans and Max Knox (Biogen-Volcan), one or both of whom has been on the race podium every year bar one since the race’s inception.<\/p>\n

Kleinhans believes Biogen-Volcan chances hinge on Evans’ stamina, particularly after his recent announcement of his impending retirement from competitive racing, and was also certain that Blend’s Darren Lill and Waylon Woolcock would be influential, as would the USN Kargo Pro MTB pairing of Alan Hatherly and Brendan Davids, Contego Pro MTB’s Luke Evans and Adriaan Louw as well as EAI Wheeler’s Johann Rabie and Swiss powerhouse Konny Looser.<\/p>\n

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Former Proteas fast bowler Makhaya Ntini (Super Group) gives Wednesday’s first stage of the Adventure of the 2015 Nedbank sani2c his vote of approval. \/\/ Photo credit: Kelvin Trautman\/ Gameplan Media.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the women’s front an intriguing tussle seems to be looming between the RECM duo of Ariane Kleinhans and Cherise Stander, Specilaized South Africa’s last minute cross country entrants Bianca Haw and Candice Neethling as well as Sasol Racing’s Yolande de Villiers and Catherine Williamson.<\/p>\n

Defending champ Jennie Stenerhag of Sweden has had to adjust her race plans at the last minute of regular Ascendis Health partner and South African Marathon Champ Robyn de Groot was forced out of the race due to post viral fatigue syndrome.<\/p>\n

Stenerhag will now take to the line with Namibian Marathon, Road and Time Trial Champ Vera Adrian.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Wednesday’s action saw 1500-plus Adventure riders set off from the race\u2019s new start venue at Glencairn Farm at the base of Sani Pass, soaking up the near perfect conditions on their way down to the first overnight stop at Mackenzie Club near Ixopo.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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