The Fairtree Imperial Cannondale mountain bike racing team returned to action in the King Price Trailseeker Banhoek event on Saturday (27 January).
According to team manager Chris Norton the race, which sees mountain bikers tackling the rugged terrain of the beautiful Banhoek Valley outside Stellenbosch, was extremely tough. “With 1 700 m of elevation, you know this [race] will give you a proper challenge,” he pointed out.
“The course has some incredible flowing single tracks, which our riders really enjoy and know well.”
The Fairtree Imperial Cannondale team comprised Luyanda Tobigunya, Damon Terblanche, Ziandro Jordaan, Thembela Lukalo, Sthera Xhala, Ongezo Mini and Thando Nthuthu.
Norton said Tobigunya and Terblanche both delivered “fantasic” rides in the packed professional field, with the riders finishing just outside the top 20. Tobigunya finished in 22nd place with a time of 3:03:30, closely followed by Terblanche in 23rd place, clocking a time of 3:05:05.
“This bodes extremely well for races coming up, such as the Absa Cape Epic, and we can see our riders really building endurance and fitness at the right time,” Norton added.
He further said local MTB riders Kusaselihle “Lihle” Ngidi and Ongeziwe “Ongs” Tyapa will return to the team this month, when the team starts final preparations for the big team events of the MTB racing season.
