![\"ccs-41808-0-20820600-1394787144.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-41808-0-20820600-1394787144.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nImage credit: Darren Goddard\/\u2028Gameplan Media <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Kargo Pro MTB team became the host country\u2019s first ever UCI accredited mountain bike team in January this year. Shaun Peschl\u2019s outfit is excited by its quartet of riders earning enough points to compete on home turf in their team\u2019s colours in a few weeks\u2019 time after a strong performance at the UCI category 2 Western Cape Open race on Saturday 8 March.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have worked really hard to build a team that is of international standard and that can do South Africa proud both locally and abroad,\u201d described Peschl. \u201cReceiving our UCI accreditation a little while ago was such an amazing step for us in our international journey and now to have four riders who have qualified to ride in Kargo colours in Pietermaritzburg in a few weeks\u2019 time is incredible!\u201d he added.<\/p>\n First year elite competitor and team ace Rourke Croeser will now be joined by fellow elite rider Stuart Marais, under-23 XCO returnee Travis Walker and emerging under-23 talent Paul Rodenbach as the four look to impress at Pietermaritzburg\u2019s global showdown.<\/p>\n In 2013, Croeser had hoped for a strong showing in his final charge for an under-23 World Champs podium when Cascades played host to the UCI MTB & Trials World Championships. However, a broken chain just a few metres from the start line saw his top-three dream go up in smoke.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting time for our Kargo team as we build towards this year\u2019s World Cup in Pietermaritzburg,\u201d said Croeser. \u201cWe know the course at Cascades really well and it\u2019s one that I fell really suits me so I\u2019m looking forward to racing there against the best riders in the world in the near future.<\/p>\n