Two weeks ago the marathon mountain bikers were able to enjoy the country’s top ranked trails (catch the highlights here), and this weekend the adrenaline-fueled riders have a chance to push the boundaries in the Sappi Karkloof Enduro at the Marriott Karkloof Country Club.
The event doubles as the KZN Enduro Championships, so provincial titles will be at stake in the event that sees riders battling it out over 10 sections split over the two days of competition.
In the men’s competition, former enduro national champion and chief trail manager at Karkloof, Keira Duncan, is overwhelming favourite. As the leader of the current 2023 KZN Enduro Series he has already shown himself to be the man to beat this year, and with home-course advantage he should have the edge.
His nearest challenges in the current series have been Liam Read and Sharjah Jonsson, while youngster Liam Hall cannot be discounted.
One rider who starred two weeks ago, Omar Wilson, has been threatening to produce a top gravity result and the 40km winner will be hoping for a bit of luck and a double title at Karkloof.
In the women’s event, Sabine Thies is unlikely to be put under too much pressure. The PYGA/Leatt Clothing rider was meant to be competing overseas but that trip fell through and that sad news is also bad for her rivals.
The Wartburg resident is focussing on downhill but she is one of the country’s top prospects in all forms of gravity racing and it is hard to see her being beaten over a full weekend of action.
While the senior and older age-group riders are fighting for titles over ten stages, there is also a “Lite” event for younger riders and they will ride a reduced programme of three stages each day.
For more information go to roag.org
