![\"ccs-41808-0-30630300-1405932470.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-41808-0-30630300-1405932470.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a> Mariske Strauss (Orange Monkey Pro Team) celebrates her victory and her SA National Championship Elite women’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>\nMariske Strauss (Orange Monkey Pro Team) celebrates her victory and her SA National Championship Elite women’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
The start to Strauss\u2019 race was less than perfect as she encountered what she called a \u201crookie error\u201d when her foot clipped out of her cleats on the start line. This resulted in Strauss entering the first singletrack section in last place.<\/p>\n
Keeping cool and calm, Strauss picked her way through the riders on her first lap, and from lap two she held the lead until the end of the race, despite her tumble in the rock garden.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lost a bit of concentration and took a tumble, but thankfully it was nothing serious,\u201d said the newly crowned Champion. \u201cThere was no damage to my bike so I just carried on. Racing in this event was a nice opener for me for the Commonwealth Games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mariske Strauss (Orange Monkey Pro Team) 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
Strauss\u2019 preparations have been going well in the build up to the Championship event. \u201cMy coach, Jeroen Swart, has been pushing me quite hard, but the data is looking good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Apart from this weekend\u2019s National Championships, Strauss will be departing for Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games next week Thursday, while her University schedule starts again on Monday after the mid-year break. \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to keep everything as normal as possible,\u201d said Strauss. \u201cMy confidence has picked up a lot, and I will try my best to post a good result for South Africa at the Commonwealth Games. I\u2019m very excited \u2013 it hasn\u2019t really sunk in yet. But it will definitely feel real when I start packing my bags next week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cherie Vale (Paarl Media) 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
Cherie Vale (Paarl Media) claimed the silver medal in a time of 01:39:10, while Candice Neethling (Time Freight VELOlife) claimed bronze in 01:40:40. It was great to see mountain biking stalwart Yolande Speedy (Heart-Sports ASG) back in the racing scene, where she claimed fourth place in 01:47:34, with Nicolette Griffioen finishing fifth in 01:29:22.<\/p>\n
Ashleigh Moffatt (Time Freight VELOlife) 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 Ashleigh Moffatt (Time Freight VELOlife) claim top honours in a time of 01:24:35, with Hayley Smith (Bell Equipment) claiming a silver medal in a time of 01:27:27.<\/p>\n
Hayley Smith (Bell Equipment) 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
Bianca Haw (Time Freight VELOlife) claimed the Junior women\u2019s title in commanding fashion, completing 3 laps in 01:04:19. Haw was followed home by Genevieve Van Coller (Heart-Sports ASG) 01:05:49, with Jessica Alcock (GU) claiming the bronze medal in 01:07:04.<\/p>\n
Bianca Haw (Time Freight VELOlife) 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 women\u2019s category saw some close racing with Lynette Benson dominating her race, and claiming the gold medal in 01:09:46. Allison Morton finished in second place in 01:11:05, while Saffron Vosloo finished third in 01:12:18.<\/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