![\"UCI](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-69919400-1331735928.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBurry Stander drops through a new technical section in the Amphitheatre during the Momentum Health XCO International, ahead of this weekend’s 2012 RockyRoads UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg \u00a9 Darren Goddard\/cycho.co.za <\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It was tight, but the Swiss stars worked well together to prevent the South African star from taking victory. Schurter, the winner of the UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg in 2011, claimed victory, with Stander in second and Vogel in third.<\/p>\n \u201cThe racing was brilliant,\u201d says Floros. \u201cI don’t think everyone showed their cards. It was a bit of a chess game, so we\u2019ll see what happens this coming weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n For those that have failed to heed warning boards or who might have lacked sufficient skill, the course has already shown its teeth. \u201cWe had a couple of internationals come and not adhere to our danger boards and we had a dislocated hip and one or two broken wrists,\u201d Floros related.<\/p>\n The character of the course is far more technical with five new features of various sizes, set to challenge the all-round rider.<\/p>\n \u201cLast year, Schurter had the better line (in the rock garden) and that was where the race was won. A lot of the obstacles that have been made are trying to separate the top 10 riders in the world, and hopefully that is what I have achieved with the new drop-off, a new log section, and one or two new, small rock gardens. It just takes one fumble…\u201d<\/p>\n South African icon Burry Stander (Specialized racing, left) and Swiss star Nino Schurter (Scott-Swisspower) after the Momentum Health XCO International at the cascades MTB Park \u00a9 Dave Macleod\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The new design is more spectator-friendly and along with the creation of more obstacles, there has been further development of the Amphitheatre to encourage spectator viewing at this panoramic section.<\/p>\n \u201cTraditionally, downhill has been a spectator sport,\u201d continues Floros. \u201cThere are tumbles, stylish \u2018big air\u2019, challenging obstacles, and now cross-country is going that way. We’re certainly testing the bikes and challenging the guys\u2019 skills on those bikes and the spectators have grown to enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n The RockyRoads UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg takes place at the Cascades MTB Park from 16 to 18 March 2012. More information can be found at www.mtbworldcupsa.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n