UCI Mountain Bike World Cup experience

The time has come, I have wanted to race in a mountain bike world cup since I started with my cycling career. To top it off I was also asked by Cycling SA to represent SA in the Junior race at the world cup. I knew that it was going to be a very hard and World class event. After injury at a Karkloof race I decided not to ride in the Uci cat2 internationals race at Cascades MTB Park the weekend before the World cup. It gave me a chance to take some pictures and see who my competition would be for the race the next weekend.

The world cup weekend arrived and so did most of the internationals. The week leading up to the weekend was very busy, I rode the track for the first time on the Wednesday and must say, it was and is a really hard course but also very fun at the same time. On Saturday I watched the Elite women and u23 men's race before I went home and rested(well tried)... As the afternoon came closer and closer the weather also turn a lot and fast. By the time I had my dinner and head to bed it was pouring with rain. I knew only one thing...MUD tires.

Race day was here, the day I have been dreaming for for so long! Warm up was a very professional one with Richart, Kyle and me, all on our trainers loosening our legs and warming up for the race. Onto the Start line with 28 other keen mtbers! To be honest I felt strong, but during the race my body and mind disappointed me. I gave my best! Next thing I knew I was lapped and pulled off of the track. It was a tough day out there for me. I finished in 22nd, not really what I had hoped for. But lessons were learnt and I will take all the experiences into my next few races overseas in Europe.

Thanks again BMC SA for a good weekend, sorry I couldn't repay in position..

I also thank BMC Mountain Bike team from Suisse for all their supported tips!