Stellenbosch World Cup Downhill
Dirk Meissner
THE 1998 GRUNDIG/UCI STELLENBOSCH MOUNTAINBIKE
WORLD CUP DOWNHILL
It's all systems go at the 1998 Grundig/UCI World Cup Office in
Stellenbosch, as this year's race organisers - known as GUSTO '98
(Grundig/UCI Stellenbosch Organisers) - prepare for the 1998 World Cup
Downhill.
For the second year running, the World's finest in Mountainbiking will
gather in the heart of the Cape Winelands to determine the fastest
Downhill riders in this years season opener. In addition, there will
be a fight for glory in the Dual World Cup - as the Dual Slalom is now
known - which promises spectators an unmatched adrenaline rush.
"We are proud to host this event for the second year running in
Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is becoming a very popular international
sporting destination - we have hosted prime international events such
as the Pavarotti concert, the Rugby World Cup, International Cross
Country, and, of course the 1997 World Cup Downhill here. Being the
African hosts of the Grundig/UCI World Cup Downhill for the second
consecutive year is indeed a feather in our cap", says Mr Riaan Smit,
Chairman of the Downhill's Local Organising Committee and Marketing
Director of Stellenbosch.
According to Strelize Benadie, GUSTO '98's Chairperson, the expertise
that was gained from organising last year's event will ensure a great
show for spectators and an adventurous course for the riders. "With
the excellent co-operation and support from Stellenbosch - from the
Mayor's Office to our volunteers - we can be confident of doing
Mountainbiking proud," she says.
Botmaskop is situated at the entrance to the beautiful Jonkershoek
Valley about one kilometre from the centre of Stellenbosch. The race
will start at the same point as last year's event at an elevation of
480m. The course then rapidly drops down to 180m over a distance of
3,3km, to finish at Auberge Rozendal, one of the working wine farms in
the area. For those who have the time to look up, the start has a
magnificent view over the entire Cape Flats, with the majestic Table
Mountain in the distance.
The services of Dr Allan Heydorn, one of South Africa's well-known
environmental specialists, have been secured to do a complete
environmental impact study. This will include monitoring the
environment before, during and after the event. He will also oversee
the rehabilitation of the area, should it be required.
Course builder Terry Muller has just completed the course. "The course
now needs to be ridden in, and we would appreciate any feedback so
that we can make minor adjustments in good time. The course is much
more technical and steeper than last year, and we hope to give
everyone a good ride for their money," Muller said.
If the names of the course sections are anything to go by, this will
indeed be the case. The 'Nkosi Sikelele Switchbacks' near the start
are a series of tight, sandy turns and cutbacks, followed by drop-offs
which continue for about 500m. Then comes 'Fat Boy's Jump', while the
fast, open 'Highway' is easily the fastest section on the course. Just
after negotiating a tree trunk, there's 'The Slide' - fast, slippery
and radically off-camber.
'Terry's Delights' are a series of smooth switchbacks over 200m in a
forest, going fast before braking for the 'Snake Pit' - a very rocky
section, guaranteed to deliver 'snakebites' to the unwary! The entire
section from 'Terry's Delights' and through the 'Snake Pit' offers
ideal spectator viewing.
'Donna's Alley' winds over oddly-angled roots between tall trees,
before dropping off onto the 'G-road' for some short G-spot pedalling
to raise the heart rate to about 190. 'Mason's Secret', a steep single
track through forest with plenty of switchbacks, winds its way over a
series of drop-offs and down onto a fast, wide track. A couple of
short left-right bus stops interrupt the descent before the course
tacks off right into 'Tony's Dream', a single track with tricky,
off-camber switchbacks. The 'Esses' is no misnomer - a 180 degree
left-hander is followed quickly by a 90 degree right-hand turn,
leading to 'Bergie's Air', a double jump capable of producing some
spectacular entrances onto the grass for the last 100m straight to the
finish.
This year's event once again offers spectators and keen Mountainbikers
plenty of excitement. The event will officially be opened on Thursday
evening, 2 April 1998, with an opening party, bike trial shows, food,
wine and dancing at the historic Town Hall in Plein Street. The
organisers are planning an autograph session with international
riders, and there might be some other (rather daring - NO WAY!!!)
surprises too.
In and around the finish bowl the action already starts on Friday, 3
April. The top international riders will be training from 10:00 in the
morning, and the Expo promises plenty of exciting exhibitions. Then
there's the trade team area, bike trial shows, a beer tent and plenty
of refreshments on the mountain.
On Saturday, 4 April, one of the highlights will be the Mountainbike
Duathlon (a 12 km Mountainbike ride and a 2 km run), which can be
entered on either an individual or a team basis. There will also be a
Citizen's Downhill on the Downhill course as well as bike trials.
Entry is open to all. The Dual qualification rounds will be held
between 09:00 and 11:00, and the Finals, which will be 'fought' in the
late afternoon must definitely NOT be missed.
Sunday will be entirely dedicated to the World Cup Downhill, when the
1998 Botmaskop Downhill champions will be crowned.
The race schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, 1 APRIL
09:00 - 13:00 On Foot Downhill Course Inspection
13:00 - 16:00 Registration
Thursday, 2 APRIL
09:00 - 12:00 Registration
10:00 - 15:00 Downhill Course Open For Training
15:00 - 16:00 Downhill Training For Top 70 Men & Top 25 Women
17:30 - Late Opening ceremony & welcome party
Friday, 3 APRIL
08:00 - 09:30 Citizen's Downhill Training
09:00 - 12:00 Registration
10:00 - 15:00 Downhill Course Open For Training
15:00 - 16:00 Downhill Training For Top 70 Men & Top 25 Women
16:30 - 18:30 Citizen's Downhill Training
18:00 - 18:30 Team Managers' Meeting
Saturday, 4 APRIL
08h00 - 09h00 Dual Course Training
08:00 - 10:30 Duathlon
Bike trials
09:00 - 11:00 Dual Qualification
09:00 - 11:00 Registration
11h00 - 15h00 Downhill Course Open For Training
15:00 - 16:00 Timed Training For Top 70 Men & Top 25 Women
16:30 - 18:00 Citizen's Downhill (Men & Women)
17:00 - 17:30 Press Conference
18:00 - 18:30 Team Managers' Meeting
18:30 - 19:30 Dual World Cup Finals
19:30 - 19:45 Awards Ceremony for Dual World Cup
21:00 - 24:00 Race Party
Sunday, 5 APRIL
08:00 - 09:00 Downhill Course Open For Training
09:30 - 12:00 WORLD CUP DOWNHILL SEMI FINALS
13:30 - 16:00 WORLD CUP DOWNHILL FINALS
16:15 - 16:30 Awards Ceremony For World Cup Downhill
19:00 - Late Closing party
Registration for all events - including the Citizen's events - will
take place at the Registration hall at Auberge Rozendal next to the
finish area. Details can be obtained from the GUSTO 98 office, Tel.
(021) 887 4982.
The social highlights - apart from the Opening Ceremony on Thursday
night - will definitely be the Race Party on Saturday night and the
huge after-event party at De Akker Pub in Dorp Street.
Event information: Tel. & Fax: (021) 887 4982
e-mail: di...@iafrica.com
Web site: www.active.co.za/worldcup_SA
(up in a week)
Alex
Dirk Meissner wrote in message
>blah
>blah
>blah
(Didn't want to quote the lot)
Do take this to mean the course will not be the desperately flat,
monumentally boring spectator tranquillizer that it was last year?
Will it be worthy of the name DOWNhill?
Will you be charging admission, as you reputedly did last year?
Alex
Written on 100% recycled electrons
GB
Stellenbosch world cup rulz
Hope to see some of you downhillers there in April
later
Gawain