![\"2013M2Bridge.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-71760300-1377240289.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nSouth Africa’s Steve Lang heads down a bridge during his training on the second day of practise at the UCI MTB Masters World Championships 2013 at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Darren Goddard\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n For many it has been a long build up to the event and being able to finally get going is something that they have been looking forward to for some time. <\/p>\n One such soul is South African downhiller Kathryn Fourie who is champing at the bit as the time has finally arrived to get out on the track.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the course that I learnt how to ride downhill on,\u201d Fourie said. \u201c(Thursday) was a lot better thanWednesday in terms of my rides and I\u2019m feeling much better now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did four rides and I have started putting together full runs which has really helped my confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n There were a few falls on the downhill track yesterday which made Fourie a little apprehensive but she went out on the course on Thursday to prepare for her big qualifying run tomorrow. <\/p>\n \u201cWe only get one shot at the qualifying (on Friday) which is going to be tough but it will be good to see the speed of the other riders.<\/p>\n \u201cWith two days of training under the belt the other competitors will know the course a lot better now because they have had a lot of time out there.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have been really critical of the track in terms of finding the best lines and they have been going faster and faster over the last two days which makes the competition a bit tougher,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n An unidentified rider launches off one of the many obstacles on the cross country course on the second day of practise at the UCI MTB Masters World Championships 2013 at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Darren Goddard\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n One of South Africa\u2019s World Champion hopefuls is Natalie Bergstrom who takes to the cross country course in the women\u2019s 40-44 year old category on Friday morning at 9am. <\/p>\n The KZN North Coast star is ready to take to the track and is looking to the heavens and hoping Mother Nature can settle the dust on course before racing gets underway on Friday morning.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so excited and really looking forward to racing! I think that we are in for some good weather tomorrowand there is a good crowd of girls here so I think it is going to be a really exciting race.<\/p>\n \u201cThe course is looking good and a little bit of rain tonight to settle the dust would be brilliant,\u201d the Coffeeberry\/Momsen rider said.<\/p>\n Her intentions are clear with winning the rainbow jersey being Bergstrom\u2019s sole focus as she anticipates extensive South African success in Pietermaritzburg over the next ten days. <\/p>\n \u201cI am in it to win it \u2013 that is definitely my main goal!\u201d said Bergstrom.<\/p>\n \u201cI have worked hard this year and I am focusing on the win tomorrow but looking at our other riders, we have a great chance as a country tomorrow with good odds on a number of the guys and girls in the Masters this weekend and then Greg next week.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be nice for our local riders to bring a couple of gold medals home this weekend,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n One of the female competitors familiarises herself with a rock garden along the cross country course on the second day of practise at the UCI MTB Masters World Championships 2013 at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Darren Goddard\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Cascades MTB Park is all set and ready to go ahead of the first event getting underway on Friday morning with the energy and atmosphere around the park in anticipation of the start of South Africa\u2019s first ever Mountain Bike World Championships. <\/p>\n \u201cThe buzz around here is incredible and I think that everybody is getting pretty pumped up for the whole event,\u201d said Bergstrom.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll race on our home course, the event gives so many South Africans the opportunity to race in an event that they don\u2019t have access to all that often and having it here gives families a fantastic opportunity to come watch and support our riders.\u201d<\/p>\n Participants and spectators alike are also encouraged to show their support of the late South African MTB legend, Burry Stander, and the fight against rhino poaching by purchasing their #IRide4Burry band for R50 at the Coffeberry Caf\u00e9 tent at the course after defending downhill World Champ, Greg Minnaar, opened sales by purchasing the first band.<\/p>\n The UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships takes place at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg from 26 August to 1 September 2013, and will be preceded by the UCI MTB Masters World Championships from21 to 25 August. More information can be found at www.mtbworldchamps.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n To infinity and beyond! Cross country riders add the finishing touches to their preparations on the second day of practise at the UCI MTB Masters World Championships 2013 at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Darren Goddard\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Chris Fink of South Africa performs an involuntary dismount whilst training on the second day of practise at the UCI MTB Masters World Championships 2013 at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Darren Goddard\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n