Kargo Pro MTB team member and international under 23 sensation Rourke Croeser is eager to mount a title challenge at Sunday’s 60km Sappi Karkloof Classic. Photo: Zoon Cronje/Gameplan Media
Howick – On the back of the news that the 2013 Sappi Karkloof Classic MTB Festival has broken its entry record, it received a further boost when international under 23 star Rourke Croeser confirmed his entry.
The local member of the recently formed Kargo Pro MTB team will be tackling the event for the first time in three years after returning from Europe.
“I’ve missed the last two Karkloof Classics but I’ve done it several times in the past so it will be great to be back again this year and it’s always awesome to be able to support races that are so close to home and of the quality of the Karkloof Classic,” said Croeser.
“Outside of the MTN National Series events the Karkloof Classic is one of the biggest races on the calendar in South Africa.
“It is probably the best course in South Africa and a phenomenal amount of work goes into getting ready for the festival.”
After his solid performance at the recent Absa Cape Epic where he and partner Shan Wilson narrowly finished outside the top 20, Croeser was forced to take a short rest due to a minor knee injury.
“I think my best result (at the Karkloof Classic) has been a fourth in 2009.
“Ideally I’d love to win it this year. It”s always nice to do well at home.
“It’s difficult to know just how things will go after a bit of a break but I actually think the rest has done me good and I’m really hungry to do well this weekend.
“The field is always great at the Karkloof Classic and a couple of guys from Gauteng and the likes usually come down for the race so it certainly won’t be easy.
“A guy like Brandon Stewart, if he makes it down from the Mzansi Tour, is always a good competitor and Andrew Hill is riding extremely well at the moment, so I’ll certainly have to work hard to even just have a chance.”
The Sappi Karkloof Classic MTB Festival takes place from April 19 to 21 at Karkloof Country Club.
