![\"ccs-62657-0-73419400-1431084859.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-73419400-1431084859.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe SA MTB Team takes part in the African Continental Championships which take place in Rwanda from 8-10 May 2015. Back row from left: Johann Hartzenberg, Brendon Davids, Rourke Croeser, Mariske Strauss, Sipho Madolo, Cherie Vale. Front row from left: Matthys Beukes, Philip Buys, Gert Heyns, James Reid, William Mokgopo, Bianca Haw, Candice Neethling. \/\/ Photo: Supplied.<\/span><\/p>\n Rourke Croeser (Full Dynamix Pro Team) who has recently returned home, chatted about his mindset after riding in Europe for a month. \u201cEurope has been an eye opener. I have been through good and bad times. Mentally I am a lot more confident in my ability to perform at the top level,\u201d said Croeser.<\/p>\n Taking a break from cycle talk, SA Champ and 2014 African Continental MTB women\u2019s winner Mariske Strauss (Novus OMX Pro Team) says that she loves her adventures in the country, and has only good things to say about her stay in Rwanda so far. \u201cI absolutely love Africa,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n When being asked about her favourite experience, Strauss had this to say: \u201cI don\u2019t think I can pin point one in particular, but we did go into town on Tuesday, and what an experience that was! The people here are super friendly and I feel so safe here. All-in-all it\u2019s just phenomenal. I also love how neat and clean the farmlands look.\u201d<\/p>\n Women\u2019s Elite rider, Cherie Vale (Novus OMX Pro Team), is enjoying her time in Rwanda, and appreciating every moment ahead of the racing. \u201cI am not sure exactly how I feel about racing this weekend at the Continental Champs. I am trying not to let the pressure get to me and just enjoy being on my bike pushing my limits. Being in Rwanda reminds me how simple life can be and how we take things for granted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n U23 rider Brendon Davids (Kargo Pro MTB Team), who claimed the 2013 ACC U23 title, spoke about training and preparation ahead the Champs. \u201cTraining has been really good up to this point. I’m back at full health and feel really good going into this weekend. I’m very fortunate to be part of the KZN EADP program, which allows me to train in the Hypoxic\/Altitude Chamber. This has made the transition into the altitude here in Rwanda pretty seamless. I’ve spent some time both on the course and the surrounding roads in the area. The locals are super friendly, always greeting with a smile from ear to ear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n 2014 Continental U23 MTB Champ, James Reid (Team RECM), will be racing in the Elite Men\u2019s category this year, and discusses the track: \u201cThe track is quite simple \u2013 nothing too technical and not much climbing so its going to make for quite a tactical fast race. I think the average speed per lap is going to be quite high and it\u2019s going to be a lot more close. The gaps are going to be quite small as there\u2019s going to be bunch racing for a while. There\u2019s one long climb, which is about five minutes out the back, which is likely to be the deciding part of the race.\u201d<\/p>\n Reid mentioned that the rest of the track is made up of narrow single tracks, roots and rocks, and is quite wet and slippery due to the tropical weather.<\/p>\n \u201cI think everybody wants to win. Continental – it\u2019s a title race so you\u2019re racing to be the Continental Champ, which makes it quite special. I\u2019m really looking forward to it,\u201d he concluded.\u201d<\/p>\n Schedule of events<\/strong> \u2013 2015 African MTB Continental Championships (as per event website http:\/\/www.ferwacy.rw\/spip.php?rubrique29<\/a>)<\/p>\n Friday 8 May 2015:<\/strong><\/p>\n 09:00-12:00 Official training day<\/p>\n Saturday 9 May 2015:<\/strong><\/p>\n 09:00 Junior Men<\/p>\n 09:03 Junior Women<\/p>\n 11:00 Masters<\/p>\n 13:00 Citizen<\/p>\n