Cyanosis Adventure Racing teams Clinton Mackintosh & Nicholas Mulder finalized their preparation for the 2010 Cape Epic with a final MTB stage race. 

 

What better way to end off preparation than to ride the “famous” Sani2c 3 day MTB race, this MTB stage event has become the must do MTB race in SA and Nic and Mac have planned to do it for the past three years but have never managed to get together over the right time to do it, In 2009 Mac was not able to make the race and Nic rode with Donovan Simms.  This year however the team planned their calendars around Sani2c and Cape Epic and managed to get to the start line in Underberg together.  Nic and Mac discussed beforehand what they we wanted to achieve at this year’s Sani2c,  as Sani was now a week later than last year and they would not have a full three weeks to recover after hard racing it was decided to race at 90%.  Now if you know Mac you will know that racing is racing and that there is no such thing as 90% racing so it was Nic’s responsibility to make sure that they both stuck to the plan and paced correctly sticking to the race plan of 90% output and not taking any major risks.   

Stage one was from Underberg school to MacKenzie Country Club.  We started in B batch and were quickly on our way with an average speed of around 35kmh before the first single track after 18km.  The route was challenge but not too tough and we managed to put in a respectable time (stage times and ride details below).

Stage two was from MacKenzie Country Club to Roseveres Farm, this was to be the toughest of the three days with the most climbing and the greatest distance.  During the briefing the night before the 2nd stage Farmer Glen made the decision to not ride the valley single track as the persistent rain turned the single track in to a danger and sensibly he made the decision not to send the 1400 riders down this slide for their own safety.  Never the less with plan B in full swing the route would not be any shorter or would not have less climbing so the team needed to stay focused that a tough day would lay ahead of them.  “The route was spectacular” commented Clinton and this was without the famous Sani single track.  “The route was tough with some good solid climbs but not once did I think that a climb was put in to the race route just to gain altitude and make up distance which is the case in so many other events” commented Nicholas.        

Stage three was from Roseveres Farm to Scottburgh and was said to be a fast track to the coast.  Farmer Glen summoned up the race during the previous nights briefing that every stage of the race is a different experience, stage one is designed to be a introduction to the Sani. Stage 2 is the toughest with the biggest distance and the climbing that one needs to do and stage three is the track to the finish, designed to be fast and enjoyable for all.  This was the case, the race route was excellent with a few climbs that needed to be done to get you over the hills to the coast but all and all it was super fast with only a head wind slowing you down. 

Nic and Mac finished the Sani2c in good spirits with Mac injuring his right bicep from a day 1 tumble but all and all a good result for the team finishing 66th overall in what has been described as one of the most competitive fields yet. 

Nic and Mac would like to thank all the teams sponsors for their continued support and a special thank you to Salomon, Specialized and SPN (FoodState) who were instrumental in getting the team to the finish line unscathed and with plenty energy left to tackle the Cape Epic in 12 days time. 

Stage 1:

Time - 3:30:07  

Distance - 78.19km

Average - 22.3kmh

Max - 67.1

 

Stage 2:

Time - 04:19:53

Distance - 89.51km

Average - 20.60kmh

Max - 74.00kmh

 

Stage 3:

Time - 3:05:31

Distance - 78.38

Average - 24.2kmh 

Max - 114.9kmh (computer went wonky :-) but would have been cool)