Top SA cyclists to participate in first York Enduro MTB Rally

Sam Sanders

The three-day event will test the skills of Knox, winner of the Cape Pioneer Trek 2011 and South Africa Marathon Mountain Bike Champion 2012, and Sanders, who took the title of South African Cross Country National Champ this year.

Corporate Teams including Sasol, Metier, IDC, Alexander Forbes, Cashbuild, Exxaro, Hewsaw, Mott McDonald, Nukor, Rand Merchant Bank, SII Group, GDH, TFDesign and York, play a key role in the weekend's activities and at the invite-only gala dinner on Friday night will bid for a pro cyclist to ride with their team.

Both pros and corporates will be put to the test on Friday, 13 September when they ride the spectator friendly 3.2km Downhill and 3km XC (cross country) course with DHI (down hill) seeding runs from 1pm and the finals from 3.45pm.

Also opem to the public

The real challenge gets underway on Saturday when Corporate Teams and their chosen pro set off on the strenuous 58km Enduro, with teams starting Transition Stage 1 at 7.45am and only being timed on the downhill stretches.

After a full day of cycling in one of the finest and toughest mountain biking regions in the world, pros and corporates will have to find renewed strength for the York Adventure Challenge 40km race, which is also open to the public, on Sunday, 15 September. The pros' final test will be to stir spectators during an exhibition XCO (cross country Olympic) lap race at 11.30am on the Sabie Golf Course.

Pro riders who will join Knox and Sanders include Ariane Kleinhans, Lourens Luus, Erik Kleinhans, Waylon Woolcock, Amy Beth McDougall, Arno du Toit, Ben Melt Swanepoel, Darren Lill, Jennie Stenerhag, Mannie Heymans, Matthew Brittain, Matthys Beukes, Oliver Munnik, Shaun Ward and Yolandi du Toit.

Piet van Zyl, CEO of hosting company York Timbers says, "We hope that the facilities we have created will become a training ground for serious sports people, and that more adrenalin-seekers will come and test their skills on our land."

For further information and entry forms for all activities, go to www.york.co.za.