News paper articles - Argus and Paarl Post

I must have done something right because I seem to be in the paper quite often :D

Big shout out to my sponsors - Red Bull SA, Leatt, Canfield Factory team, Seattle Coffee Co, Virgin Active, Csixx and Adidas eyewear!

RSA National DHI series rd.1 - Contermans Kloof

On the 11th/12th of February 2012 we had the First round of the national DHI series which was held in the Western Cape.

It was a great turn out of over 80 riders! The track was dry and dusty as always even after some rain on the friday night. I was loving the track and got in 7 runs on Saturday, I felt good and fast, I was ready to race on Sunday. It was really cool to do some riding with the up country guys, just 1 crash for the day so not too shabby.

On the Sunday I got in 2 runs early and felt good for the seeding run at 10am. I started my seeding run and was having a fast flowing run when suddenly I hit something hard and got a rear flat. I was dissapointed but new that it didnt count and I had my final coming up so I wasnt too bothered. An interesting fact was that Andrew and Jonty Neethling also both had flats in their run so we were all starting first in the finals.

Mean while, Johann Potgieter had a great run and was sitting in first 4 sec clear of anyone else. I got back to the pits and imediately started to fix my bike, I got a bit of a shock when I saw my rim, it had a massive dent in the side where I hit a rock. I was really worried that the tire wouldnt stay on so I used zip ties to reinforce the rim as I didnt have a spare.

So it was finals time and I was just hoping that my rim would hold. Before I knew it I was on track and on a flyer run, I was hitting all my lines smoothly and railing the turns, I landed the road gap and tried to no brake the section after which was a bad idea. I hit a bump too hard which caused me to lose control and I went straight over the birm and into the bushes, I thought I was going down but luckily I managed to stay up. I rolled back onto the track but lost a lot of speed and it was also the fastest section of track so I couldnt make up that time. I got  going again and took it easy through the next section and then pushed hard which lead me to a time of 2:11:91 which was good enough for 3rd.

I am dissapointed with the fact that I made the mistake but I am also greatfull that I managed to keep it upright and still get a podium. I am also pleased with how close I was even with the big mistake. I know I am going to win one of these days, I just need things to go my way for a change. Congrats to my friend and team mate, Johann Potgiter for getting the win in the end over myself and Andrew Neethling!

A big thanks to my sponsors, Canfield Factory team, Red Bull, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, Csixx, Seattle Coffee Co and Virgin Active. You guys rock!

Top 5 times:

1. Johann Potgieter - 2:07:46
2. Andrew Neethling - 2:08:62
3. Stefan Garlicki - 2:11:90
4. Tiaan Odendaal - 2:12:17
5. Jonty Neethling - 2:12:21

Paarl Post article 2012

Here is an article that was in the Paarl Post last week.

I love the photo.

Avis Van Rental DH Challenge 2012

Wow! What a start to the year!

This last weekend was my event which I organised, the Avis Van Rental DH Challenge. I wanted to make the event the best ever and I feel I achieved that, it all ran smoothly, we had loads of spectators and everyone enjoyed it.
I was a little dissapointed with lack of entries, it was a big drop from last year but it was still a great event. I was also competing and still wanted to win. I knew it would be tough with Needles and pottie there, but I felt good and was keen to start the year with a bang!

First up was a seeding run, I tried to keep it smooth and not make mistakes which I did, I had a good run which had me in 3rd 0.54 off Johann Potgieter in 1st. I knew I had a bit more in the tank for the final so I was happy. The coarse was awesome, probably the best its ever been, it was more grippy than usuall and I was loving it!
I was pretty tired after all the setting up for the past 2 days and organising etc, it made it difficult to focus on the race but I gave it my best. In the final I knew I had to push to the max if I wanted to win. I started of very well by hitting the top section faster than the seeding run, I felt good and pushed harder than before. I came into the bottom section a bit too fast and over shot  a corner which cost me time and then I made a few small errrors in the last few turns which also cost me time.  I came over the line in 3rd again, 0.38 slower than the seeding run which was dissapointed seeing that I started off quicker but thats racing, sometimes you push slightly too hard and make mistakes.

I am still please to be so close to Andrew Neethling, the 3 of us ended up only 0.88 seconds apart in the final which was awesome.

I think this is a good start to 2012 and I cant wait to get to Europe and start representing team Canfield Bros! I would just like to give a big shout out to my great sponsors for 2012, The Canfield factory team, Seattle Coffee co, Virgin Active, Evoc, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, Csixx and Red Bull!

The top 5:
1st Andrew Neethling - 1:48:10
2nd Johann Potgieter - 1:48:50
3rd Stefan Garlicki - 1:48:98
4th Jonty Neethling - 1:52:20
5th Adi VD Merwe - 1:52:92

Cape Argus article

I would like to give a big thanks to Derek Wilsnagh and Ewald Sadie for this article in the Cape Argus, it also covers the Avis Van rental Downhill challenge which is great!