TEAM TIB on top of the podium again

Race report:

A weekend in the berg on your mountain bike can only be trumped by a weekend in the berg at Mountain Splendour Eco Resort on your mountain bike.

Over the past weekend the well known family in multisport and mountain biking circles put on a fun packed event in the Champagne Valley. Ian Donwashape and his family guided by Dave and his team from Ward events, helped produce an outstanding feature on the 2011 racing calendar, the 2011 Mountain Splendour Mania.

The entire weekend was centered on fun for the entire family in the berg on their bikes. The jam packed itinerary started off with the Night running race. Even thou the night was chilled the field was rearing to go and enjoy the superb track with the aid of a riding light and the full moon.      

The following day was the Mountain Splendor lap race. The route was a 6km single track around the resort property. Specifically cut for mountain-biking, these trails were manicured to the ‘nth” degree resulting in an outstanding route in the crisp mountain air. Following 6km of the night race route the track was well worn in and with great lines to follow and get you round the tricky rock sections.

The race was dominated by TIB’s Andrew Hill. Hill set a quick tempo from the start and worked well to put a lead on the chasers. By the time the 5^th and final lap had started Hill had a 4min gap on the Coffee Berry Athlete Hilton Frost who managed to claim 2nd place.

The Sunday Classic and final race on the mountain splendour itinerary has always been a tough race and this was most definitely the case this year. With a total climbing of 1000m over 45km the participants were in for a demanding day on the bike. The pace was set early on by Andrew Hill with an attack up the first climb. This split the field with James Reid, Kyle Dorkin and Travis Walker the only riders to respond, the four settled into a good solid pace with Hill and Reid driving the group. Unfortunately 6km into the race the BMC/Mr price athlete had a mechanical resulting in him pulling out. The attack came at 13km after the 1^st water table with Hill making the first move. Dorkin was the only rider to respond and maintain the high tempo set by Hill.  

By the top of the big climb Hill had a 1min lead on Dorkin who’d dropped off on the steep sections of the climb with Walker close behind him. The time gaps grew between the leaders after a rough technical section through the Catkin Estate and stayed set until the finishing line. 

Final results:

Andrew Hill (TIB)

Kyle Dorkin (Wsquared)

Travis Walker (JEEP SA)