WD-40 BIG 5+1 MTB SERIES # 6

BABBA'S LODGE . GAUTENG

SUN 31.07.2011

70km women winners - Nicci Fernandes (3rd), Amy McDougall (1st) and

Karen Southgate (2nd) at prize giving.

Race Report written by Amy McDougall

Babba’s Lodge – Bismarck style. Babba’s Lodge regulars have come to know and adore Bismarck the bulldog, so, owners and race organisers, Andre and Anna Marie De Beer, decided to dedicate the 6th Edition of the WD-40 Big 5+1 MTB Series to our local hero, with his lovable bulldog face printed on the t-shirts, medals and podium back-drop.

Due to a Lion on the loose on one of the farms on the regular Babba’s route, Andre had to make a last-minute route change which saw us doing a longer, much more technical 3-lap race. If you are skilled at navigating deep sandy sections and rocky climbs, you would have thrived on this one. If not, well, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger!

The race: There were three factors that made this one significantly more challenging. 1: it was three loops, 2: it was longer, 75km instead of 70km, and 3: It was a lot more technical.

As usual there were 3 distances: 12km, 27km (1 loop) and 75km (3 loops). The first part of each loop was flat with a lot of deep sandy sections and many a rider had to “abort mission” and walk though the worst of it. For others, it was an opportunity to gain good time on competitors.

We then hit some fast flats to recover before some killer technical rocky climbs at the back of the loop and down the other side into some windy single track. It was then onto a short section of district road and finally after 3 loops, back onto the tar, into the reserve and through the last bit of single track before the finish.

The route was marked perfectly and overall a really well-organised race. Although it was way tougher than usual, it was great for a change and I would definitely do this one again.

Bismarck, you rock... Dawg!

Nothing like the bond between father & daughter.

Anja Oerlemans with her dad, Dirk,

at the finish line after his 70km race.

New number boards for the 12km race.

No. 2059 ended up on the bike of Lihan Kriel.

Always a pleasure to see the beautiful smile of

Kayla at a mountain bike race!

Click here to view full race results.

Manfred Reinhart, 5th in 70km race,

just after the Coastal Hire waterpoint.

70km winners: Pierre Griffioen (2nd),

Julius Cobbett (1st) and Mike van Niekerk (3rd).

New waterpoint sponsor, Coastal Hire, Centurion branch, did an excellent job.

Karen Southgate (2nd women 70km) flying past!

Radiant Sunwear was selling sunglasses

as usual on race day.