Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race Media Release

scottmtb1705

8 August 2017

Embargo : None

Written by: Nick Tatham

 
Worlds on the horizon for Scottburgh-bound Haw

Scottburgh – This weekend’s Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race will see the return of a former champion in the form of multi-sport star Bianca Haw who is searching for a second win at the South Coast spectacle in her build up to the UCI MTB World Championships next month.

Haw’s year has taken a positive turn following a bout of glandular fever that side lined her for the majority of 2017, however a second at the national cross country championships and a win at the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge last weekend has seen a sharp upward spike in form and confidence.

Her second in the women's Under 23 age category at the national MTB Championships at Mankele resulted in selection for the South African team that will travel to Australia.

The 45km dash through some of the South Coast’s 'raw and untamed' trails is a common appeal for local and out-of-town riders and for Haw it is a sort of home coming.

“I have done a lot of training down there so it is nice to be riding in the race again,” the Red Bull star commented.

“My mum is from Scottburgh and we know the town well because of sani2c so the whole family is going to be going down this weekend which will be a lot of fun.

“It is a race that I haven’t done in a number of years but I know that Flavio (Scarpa) likes to make things interesting so I am really looking forward to this weekend.”

The 21 year-old's form at Eston proved that she is on course to peak at the right time before the World Championships and having won that showdown by over ten minutes just shows how well she is improving.

“We started in B-Batch which meant that we had to try and work our way through the men’s field but I found some extra motivation in trying to catch the guys in A Batch!

“I tried to go as hard as I could for as long as I could during the race.

“I felt really happy with my race and despite blowing a bit towards the end I felt good,” she added.

Haw first won the Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race in 2011 as a bright eyed 15 year-old which helped in establishing her as a force amongst women’s mountain biking in KwaZulu-Natal and then later, South Africa.

Every race that Haw takes part in over the next month is part of her build up for the world championships and with a second race in as many weeks this Sunday, she is building up nicely for the global showpiece Down Under.

“I think the key is confidence for me and my result at Eston has given me a lot of confidence that I am starting to get into form at just the right time.

“To come through Scottburgh strong this weekend will be another important part of my preparation for Worlds.

“I am going to race at the Mandela Day race and maybe find a few smaller races just before I leave for Australia,” Haw explained.

Despite the absence of two-time defending champion Candice Parker-Dennison due to illness, Sunday’s race will still provide a challenge for Haw.

“I have been asking around as to who is going to be there and with Candy not available there is still Hayley Smith who is a local.

“She is familiar with the race having won it before so it is going to be a tough race as always,” added Haw.

Year Women's winner
2008 Cancelled due to flooding
2009 Jacky Church
2010 Brenda Potts
2011 Bianca Haw
2012 Cherise Stander
2013 Haley Smith
2014 Haley Smith
2015 Candice Parker Dennison
2016 Candice Parker Dennison

Date: Sunday 13 August
Start/Finish Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach
Distances:
          08h30 - 45km Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race (Pre-entry - R170, Late Entry - R195)
          08h45 - 28km Dash & Splash (Pre-entry - R130, Late Entry - R155)
          09h00 - 10km Family Fun Ride (Pre-entry - R60, Late Entry - R85)
Registration: Sunday 13 August (06h30-08h30) at Scottburgh Lifesaving Club clubhouse
Contact: Flavio Scarpa - 084 330 6029
Entries: www.roag.co.za
More info: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottburgh-Mtb-Race/221420711386243

ENDS

Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media