Team jeep’s Patrick Belton prepares for the Sappi Howick MTB Classic.
Photo: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media
Sunday’s Sappi Howick MTB Classic saw Team Jeep’s Patrick Belton reign supreme over fellow young star Alan Hatherly (BMC-SA) while Eszter Erdelyi powered her way to victory in the women’s race despite Mother Nature causing havoc throughout the 40km shootout.
With exceptionally dry conditions and a gale force wind, fears of the event’s possible cancellation due to fire dangers rumbled through the car park in the early morning KZN Midlands chill. Fortunately these were quickly dispelled and the action got underway as planned.
However as participants set off on what has become known as one of the most rewarding events in the region, riders aplenty – including the likes of pre-race favourite and defending men’s champion Luke Roberts (BMC-SA) – headed off on a host of impromptu course variations due to the wind wreaking havoc with route markings along the technical and challenging course, leaving both spectators and riders initially unsure of who had actually claimed the title.
Through his local knowledge of the route and sharp eye, it was however Karkloof local Belton who crossed the line over eight minutes ahead of his nearest rival to take the overall spoils.
“It was an awesome course with some incredible single track and it was really fun out there,” explained Belton afterwards. “There aren’t too many classics with that amount of single track so it really is a special race!”
More information can be found at: www.howickmountainbiking.co.za
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