Modern Cyclist Magazine Issue 1, September 2014 | Page 39

Alan Hatherly (Heart-Sports ASG) claimed
the Junior men’s title by just over a
minute with Johan Hartzenberg claiming
silver (01:06:46) and Matthew Lombardi
claiming the bronze medal (01:07:18).

Lawrence Mogano pushes hard up one of
Thaba Trails’ hills. He came in 14th position
in the junior men category with a time of
1:18:50.

The Youth men’s category was hotly
contested by the youngsters with Brandon
Van Der Berg claiming the championship
title and the gold medal in 01:12:50.
Matthew Keyser won the silver medal in
01:14:13 and Henry Liebenberg claimed
the bronze medal (01:14:16).

Competition in the master men category was as hot
as ever with Anthony Bennett leading out current
world champion Paul Furbank. Jean du Preez and
Pierre Nel battle to keep with the leaders.

Ease off Mariske, you’re
too far ahead!

M

ariske Strauss (Orange Monkey
Pro Team) put in a dominant performance to
claim the 2014 South African Cross-country
National Championship Elite women’s title
in a time of 1:35:35 on a challenging and
technical course at Thaba Trails.
The Elite women completed five laps of
the 4.5 kilometre dusty and rocky track and
her performance was so dominant that at
least one member of the impressive crowd
implored her to ease off to give the others a
chance.
The start to Strauss’ race was less than
perfect as she encountered what she called

Frances du Toit chooses the safe
option during the SA MTB Cross
Country National Championships.
She finished fifth with a time of
1:11:10.

a “rookie error” when her foot clipped out
of her cleats on the start line.
This resulted in Strauss entering the first
single track section in last place. Keeping
cool and calm, Strauss picked her way
through the riders on her first lap, and from
lap two she held the lead until the end of
the race, despite her tumble in the rock
garden.
“I lost a bit of concentration and took
a tumble, but thankfully it was nothing
serious,” said the newly crowned
Champion. “There was no damage to my
bike so I just carried on. Racing in this event

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