Belton the boss in Howick

Sunday’s Sappi Howick MTB Classic saw Team Jeep’s Patrick Belton reign supreme over fellow young star Alan Hatherly (BMC-SA), while Eszter Erdelyi powered her way to victory in the women’s race despite Mother Nature causing havoc for all riders throughout the 40km shootout.

With exceptionally dry conditions and a gale force wind, fears of the event’s possible cancellation due to fire dangers rumbled through the car park in the early morning KZN Midlands chill. Fortunately these were quickly dispelled and the action got underway as planned.

However, as participants set off on what has become known as one of the most rewarding events in the region, riders a plenty – including the likes of pre-race favourite and defending men’s champion Luke Roberts (BMC-SA) – headed off on a host of impromptu course variations due to the wind wreaking havoc with route markings along the technical and challenging course, leaving both spectators and riders initially unsure of who had actually claimed the title.

Through his local knowledge of the route and sharp eye, it was however Karkloof local Belton who crossed the line over eight minutes ahead of his nearest rival to take the overall spoils.

“It was an awesome course with some incredible single track and it was really fun out there,” explained Belton afterwards. “There aren’t too many classics with that amount of single track so it really is a special race!”

“I’m really stoked to have gotten the win today. I had a bit of bad luck last year when I got a bit lost and fell off the pace so it was great to be back again this year and to get the win," he added.

Having headed out through the initial neutral zone from Howick High School and across Main Road, the racing snakes then pinned their ears back and the frenzy of action immediately began.

“Alan (Hatherly), Luke (Roberts) and I got away pretty early on before Luke and I managed to drop Alan shortly afterwards. The two of us ended up taking a wrong turn up a hill though and by the time we realized our mistake and turned around, Alan had taken the lead. Fortunately we managed to catch him fairly quickly and, after riding together for a while, I then turned around and Luke had gone. I attacked on the biggest climb of the course up to the fire tower and that’s when I really put my head down and managed to ride away from Alan,” said Belton.

Hatherly, still making his way back from a frustrating layoff due to bilharzia, pushed to stay with Belton for as long as he could. However, the BMC-SA junior talent just didn’t have enough left in the tank to answer Belton’s challenge and had to settle for second place.

“I gave it my all but I just couldn’t push hard enough. Patrick (Belton) made it look like that headwind wasn’t even there! It was a really good race though,” said the Grade 11 Hillcrest High School pupil.

“Sections of the single track were really hard work and were pretty technical. Sappi and the organisers did a great job with the route and even though a couple of guys did get lost, part of 40km racing is making sure you’re following the right route, so I’m really happy with my result," he added.

Hatherly was followed home by Warren Price with Tim Stark (i-Cycle) and Price’s Coffeeberry/Momsen teammate, Frederick Rossouw, rounding out the top five in the men’s race.

With Frankie du Toit (Pure Adventure Gear) having fallen foul to the same troubles some of her male compatriots had experienced earlier on in the race, pre-race favourite in the women’s challenge Eszter Erdelyi (Bergamont), who put in a faultless effort despite the testing conditions, cruised home to claim a comfortable victory and round off what has been a memorable few weeks on the bike.

“The past few weeks have just been amazing!” said Erdelyi. “I was a little nervous last night before the race because I thought Bianca Haw (BMC-SA) was going to be here and I haven’t ever raced against her before, but when I saw she wasn’t here this morning I relaxed a bit and just raced my own race. I was terrified of that wind the entire way though. At some points the trees were almost (horizontal) and because of this there were just branches everywhere which kept getting stuck in my wheel and derailleur and I had to get off the bike at least five or six times. With these windy conditions any other race would have been terrible but, because of this course, often we were actually quite protected from the wind so it wasn’t too bad at all and there are always some great technical sections which are awesome fun."

Erdelyi crossed the line over nine minutes ahead of Robyn Ryan (Kargo Pro MTB), whilst Nataschka Mowat claimed third. In the 20km Intermediate race Andre Grebe claimed the men’s title. Sabine Thies claimed the women’s crown.

More information can be found at www.howickmountainbiking.co.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

SAPPI HOWICK MTB CLASSIC

40KM

1.Patrick Belton 1:27.01
2.Alan Hatherly 1:35.25
3.Warren Price 1:37.35

Women

1.Eszter Erdelyi 1:58.22
2.Robyn Ryan 2:08.54
3.Nataschka Mowat 2:11.39

20KM

1.Andre Grebe 1:27.53
2.Kelvin Green 1:31.11
3.Scott Kendall-Browne 1:31.33

Women

1.Sabine Thies 1:46.39
2.Charne Dreyer 1:51.42
3.Roxanne Dovey 1:54.08

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Gameplan Media

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