![\"ccs-41808-0-65166400-1401439371.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-41808-0-65166400-1401439371.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nImage credit: Anthony Grote\/Gameplan Media<\/span><\/p>\n Fresh off a race-ending broken rim at the UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg, the bounce of the ball has continued not to go Davids\u2019 way recently as a frustrating double puncture forced him out of the 60km Sappi Karkloof Marathon before a stomach bug saw him run out of steam in the final lap of the third leg of the 2014 SA MTB Cup Series in Mankele this past weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Sappi Karkloof Classic was obviously a huge bummer for me and then the UCI category 1 cross country race up at Mankele this past weekend was also very disappointing,\u201d explained Davids.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d also hoped to head over to Germany for this weekend\u2019s World Cup in Albstadt but that unfortunately didn\u2019t work out either.<\/p>\n \u201cFortunately the body is feeling strong again though and my coach, Jeroen Swart, has been working me really hard this past so hopefully I can go to Howick this weekend and try hone my skills a bit and look to work really hard on my speed ahead of the SA Cross-Country Champs in particular, as well as the SA Marathon Champs next weekend,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Despite the rub of the green having not gone his way of late, the Trek South Africa competitor is hoping local knowledge of the renowned Howick trails and a passion for Sunday\u2019s event will signal a turning of the tides for the under-23 ace.<\/p>\n \u201cI grew up in the area and I\u2019ve been riding the Howick trails since I was thirteen years old so I\u2019m really looking forward to going back to my roots this weekend!\u201d he said eagerly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe race is one of the longest standing events in KwaZulu-Natal and is probably one of the most popular events with the riders because of the incredible, unique single track it offers so it will be great to go back and race there again for the first time in four years!<\/p>\n The Sappi plantations that surround the small, quiet town of Howick will come alive on Sunday and Davids was quick to rate the trails of the region as on a par with those of the renowned Karkloof area.<\/p>\n \u201cSappi has such great grounds, both in Howick and Karkloof, for events to be staged and the single track through Howick, just like Karkloof, is just incredible!<\/p>\n \u201cThe Howick course\u2019s single track lends itself to the technically strong, cross-country type rider and the climbs are long so that is definitely another area I\u2019ll look to take advantage of on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe race starts and finishes at Howick High School and this just seems to really bring the whole community together and get behind the event, so it is a pretty special race at all.<\/p>\n With 2013 winner Patrick Belton having called it a day on his competitive career earlier this year, the door is wide open for a new winner to be crowned however few would be brave enough to bet against Davids\u2019 strength and determination, especially as he looks to put a disappointing period behind him as he moves towards the second half of the year.<\/p>\n The popular Howick event offers participants the choice of the 40km Sappi Howick MTB Classic, 20km SPAR Intermediate Ride or the 10km Fun Ride and takes place at Howick High School on Sunday 1 June.<\/p>\n