IXS European DH Cup #6 - Maribor

I am finally back in SA now after a crazy last couple of weeks in Europe! It was up and down to say the least....

Straight after Hafjell I headed to Leogang to race the last round of the world cup series for 2013, however on the friday night before qualification our van van broken into an d all three of our bikes for were stolen. Sam, Adi and myself were gutted to say the least, we could believe that this happened in Austria of all places. Needless to say we didnt race in Leogang and we were not sure about Maribor either as we were not feeling too great and didnt have bikes.

Adi was due to fly home just after Leogang anyway and Sam and myself got our butts into gear and organised to borrow bikes for maribor. Sam managed to get a medium Lappiere and I got a medium Morewood, they were definately too small but it was better than nothing. Our goal from then on was to have fun, learn the track for 2014 and do the best we could. There was no pressure and it was supposed to rain the whole weekend which would make things interesting as the track was filled with roots. We got to the venue on Friday morning and after doing one run down the track I was not too keen to carry on, the bike felt very awkward and the track was so slippery. However I thought I would tough it out that day and make a decision as to whether I would race on Saturday. By the end of practice on Friday I was having a blast and looking forward to the Saturday! On Saturday it rained more and the track was getting worse and worse but for some strange reason i was loving it, such a challenge to ride.
The seeding run was on the Saturday afternoon and I had no expectations, I just tried to hit all my lines and keep the flow going. I made two very costly mistakes and ended in 36th which was not too far off. I knew I could go quicker the next day :)

So after eating at possibly the best restaurant ever on Saturday evening, Sunday rolled around and it was as expected, pouring with rain! I did just two practice runs before the race run and the track was crazy, like ice all the way down. I was still enjoying it but it was tough, really tough. I was looking forward to the challenge of racing it and soon enough I was headed to the start. It was quite strange at this race as the start was half way down the mountain so by the time u got to the start you were covered in mud already :D It made it a bit cold but it was the same for everyone.

It was not long before I was in the gate and on track! I was a bit worried as to how the track would be after more rain and riders but as I hit the first three corners I realised that it was better! Somehow more rain made it better, it was wet but my tyres were able to stick into the mud and not get clogged up. The track was a river and it was the first time ever in a wet race run that I was having a blast, I felt so good and I was building towards the bottom of the track. However about 1 minute from the end I came into a rooty off camber section too fast and slid into a tree and stopped. It was a fairly fast section and it was hard to get going and back up to speed. The rest of my run was good but unfortunately the tea break cost me dearly. I ended in 41st position which was definately not a true reflection of how I was riding. On a positive note, I felt the best I ever have in a mud race and really enjoyed it. It was a huge confidence boost for wet races next season. I say next season because we will propbably not see a rain drop until next season back home :P

All in all  I am happy and it was a great learning experience, this track is round 1 for the series next year and I am already excited! It was definately my favourite IXS Cup track for 2013.

I would look to again give it up to all the people that have helped me this year and all my amazing sponsors! I would not be hear if it was not for you guys ;)
Special thanks to INVESTEC, morewood, Seattle Coffee Co, Virgin Active, Science2Sport, John Wakefield, Cycles Africa, Sun Ringle, Hayes, Odi, Spank, Csixx, Leatt protectives, Bell helmets, Adidas eyewear, Faithwear and Red Bull SA!

I still have one event left on the calander, the Toyota DH challenge in Malelane. Hopefully I can organise a bike by then!

Until next time....