![\"ccs-41808-0-58569400-1405935888.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-41808-0-58569400-1405935888.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a> Rourke Croeser (Kargo Pro MTB Team) claims victory and the SA National Championship Elite Men’s title at the 2014 CSA-MTB National Championships held at Thaba Trails, Gauteng, on Saturday 19 July. \/\/ Image credit: Andrew Mc Fadden\/BOOGS Photography<\/span>\n<\/div>\nRourke Croeser (Kargo Pro MTB Team) claims victory and the SA National Championship Elite Men’s title at the 2014 CSA-MTB National Championships held at Thaba Trails, Gauteng, on Saturday 19 July. Photo credit: Andrew Mc Fadden\/BOOGS Photography<\/p>\n
An early neck-and-neck tussle between Croeser and Reid showed that no one was giving an inch away as they made the early break and challenged each other in the first three laps.<\/p>\n
Reid attempted another early attack on the rocky climb, but Croeser remained glued to his wheel. The epic tussle continued until disaster struck in the fourth lap. Croeser appeared across the start\/finish line with a lead of over 3-minutes to Reid, who had punctured.<\/p>\n
Matthys Beukes (Scott-Sports SA) claims the silver medal in the Elite Men’s category at the 2014 CSA-MTB National Championships held at Thaba Trails, Gauteng, on Saturday 19 July. Photo credit: Andrew Mc Fadden\/BOOGS Photography<\/p>\n
According to Croeser, it was not only Reid who suffered bad luck during the encounter. \u201cI punctured just before James did,\u201d said Croeser. \u201cThe terrain was hard on the tyres, and not even 200m later I saw James puncture. I waited to make sure that my tyre sealed properly before setting off, but it seems that James\u2019 repair didn\u2019t seal that well and he stopped again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Croeser maintained the lead until the end of the 6-lap race, admitting to riding conservatively in the last laps. \u201cI played it very safe after that,\u201d said Croeser. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to risk anything and especially losing the title. James is very good in the technical sections, and a very powerful rider. I prefer the longer climbs and I knew it would be hard to pass. Over the years, I\u2019ve learnt to keep it super safe. When the time comes to go hard, then I can let loose, but I couldn\u2019t risk another puncture or mechanical.\u201d<\/p>\n
James Reid (Trek South Africa) settled for bronze in the Elite Men’s category at the 2014 CSA-MTB National Championships held at Thaba Trails, Gauteng, on Saturday 19 July. Photo credit: Andrew Mc Fadden\/BOOGS Photography<\/p>\n
The prestigious title has been something that Croeser has been working very hard for. \u201cI\u2019ve won every title since racing in the Sprog category, but being the Elite champ is being the champion of the country. I can wear this jersey on my shoulders with great pride. This is the greatest achievement to win!\u201d<\/p>\n
Reid\u2019s bout of bad luck cost him another position, as Scott-Sports SA\u2019s Matthys Beukes crossed the line in second place in a time of 01:36:57, while Reid claimed the bronze medal in 01:38:06.<\/p>\n
Gert Heyns (Heart-Sports ASG) claims the gold medal in the U23 Men’s category at the 2014 CSA-MTB National Championships held at Thaba Trails, Gauteng, on Saturday 19 July. Photo credit: Andrew Mc Fadden\/BOOGS Photography<\/p>\n
Reid says: \u201cI got about 20 metres on Rourke, but I cut my rear tyre. It didn\u2019t seem to seal, but on the downhill I cut it again. With the third flat I was definitely out of the race. Hats off to Rourke – if it hadn\u2019t been for my flat tyre it would\u2019ve been an entirely different race. That\u2019s how it goes though. Sometimes luck goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Croeser\u2019s teammate Stuart Marais finished fourth in 01:39:33, while veteran cyclist Jan Withaar finished in a superb fifth place in 01:40:03.<\/p>\n
Brendon Davids (Trek South Africa) claims the silver medal in the U23 Men’s category at the 2014 CSA-MTB National Championships held at Thaba Trails, Gauteng, on Saturday 19 July. Photo credit: Andrew Mc Fadden\/BOOGS Photography<\/p>\n
The under-23 category saw Gert Heyns (Heart-Sports ASG) take top honours in 01:18:15, followed by Brendon Davids (Trek South Africa) in 2nd place in 01:19:30, with Travis Walker (Kargo Pro MTB Team) third in 01:21:29.<\/p>\n
Alan Hatherly (Heart-Sports ASG) claimed the Junior men\u2019s title by just over a minute with Johan Hartzenberg claiming silver (01:06:46) and Matthew Lombardi claiming the bronze medal (01:07:18).<\/p>\n
Alan Hatherly (Heart-Sports ASG) won the gold medal in the Junior Men’s category at the 2014 CSA-MTB National Championships held at Thaba Trails, Gauteng, on Saturday 19 July. Photo credit: Andrew Mc Fadden\/BOOGS Photography<\/p>\n
The Youth men\u2019s category was hotly contested by the youngsters with Brandon Van Der Berg claiming the championship title and the gold medal in 01:12:50. Matthew Keyser won the silver medal in 01:14:13 and Henry Liebenberg claimed the bronze medal (01:14:16).<\/p>\n
Cycling South Africa extends a big thanks to the hosts, Wendell Bole and his entire team at Thaba Trails, for preparing the superb and challenging course and for hosting the event. We also thank our sponsor, Stihl, for their continued support in mountain biking, as well as all the event\u2019s supporting sponsors.<\/p>\n