Tour Durban MTB set to excite this weekend
The
2023 edition of the aQuellé Tour Durban MTB powered by Cycle Lab on Saturday is
set to be another action-packed, fun-filled edition as the single-track-minded
adrenalin junkies enjoy the various routes that have been laid out for them.
The MTB arm of the aQuellé Tour Durban has only recently become part of the weekend’s entertainment and the EMBA Trails around Cornubia Mall have become a popular playground for the off-road enthusiasts.
Previously the event used to incorporate what was labelled a cyclo-cross event, but was in reality more of a hybrid MTB / road race. With the popularity of mountain biking, organisers made the decision to have a dedicated mountain bike event and it offers riders of all abilities a chance to enjoy the trails with a 40km, 20km and 10km option, and this year it has been incorporated into the ROAG Series to add prestige.
In the men’s race, defending champion Brent Yelland is back for another shot at the top step of the podium and it seems like it will be a battle between the youngsters with a number of Under 23 entries making for a spicy lineup.
Chasing Yelland down this year will be young 18 year-old and 2022’s third place finisher Tayne Rudling, who will be hoping to pip the defending champion, with another Yelland, Sean, also out for race honours.
With some late entries expected to add to the intrigue, the 40km marathon will be an exciting tussle with the youngsters also lining up against a handful of experienced riders, with the likes of Adriaan van Schoor and Jedson Tooms amongst the entrants for the shoot-out.
With the long road ride the focus for the weekend, the Sandton City Cycle Nation road team will also be present at the MTB race on Saturday, with Upper Highway local Bridget Theunissen amongst the entrants for the 40km ride and the likely favourite among the pre-entries.
The 22-year-old will be joined by her team-mate and defending champion in the road race, Joanne van de Winkel, as the team look to produce a pair of wins over the weekend.
The 2023 MTB will still have a strong racing element to it and riders will be out to claim the overall honours on what should be an exciting course.
