Wily and rapid, North West Province racer, Christan Kirsten is always a podium contender at Enduro races, but at Round 2 of the 2023 Mpumalanga Enduro Series at Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve on Saturday 20 May, he charged straight to the top of the podium, with a strong overall and Elite men’s victory.
With the gravity season in full swing around the country – and internationally – the event had a smaller field than in 2022 when racing was still enjoying a revival after the government’s Covid-19 restrictions. But as is typical with events by Trail Awareness Crew, the event was well organised and the competition fierce.
Kirsten (pictured in intro image) clocked a total time of 21:10.125 for the four stages, emphasising the length of the stages at the nature reserve. With a total time of 21:29.069, Ruben le Roux finished second with Christian Smit’s 21:59.363 giving his third overall. All three are in the Elite Men’s category.
Sean O’Flynn Madden not only won the Master Men’s title, but finished fourth overall, while Denzil Lawrie secured the Veteran Men’s crown and rounded out the top five overall.
“The race was missing some of the big dogs that day. I would have loved to gauge myself against some of them. But you know, I was there and they weren’t, so a win is a win at the end of the day,” said Kirsten, who is the Potchefstroom Trek Bike Shop manager and head mechanic.
Kirsten won Stages 2, 3 and 4 and finished second on Stage 1.
“The first three stages were smooth sailing, but the fourth stage was a bit of a toss up! I went into the bushes once and clipped a rock on a corner that gave me a heart-in-the-mouth moment. I got so tired on that stage that I was losing focus,” he explained.
“It’s not a venue to everyone’s liking, but I like the raw, natural riding it offers. It’s a bit old school. It’s very similar to where I am from because there are no purpose-built or groomed trails. To be honest, I loved it because it’s more than we have at home. Thanks to the people of Lydenburg for hosting us. It was a blast!” added Kirsten.
“We are proud of the variety of trails we have in Mpumalanga and try to incorporate as many different venues in our annual provincial series. Although not a formal trails park, Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve does offer something different, as those that have raced here will appreciate,” said Schalk Potas of Trail Awareness Crew, the Mpumalanga Series organisers.
Round 3 of the 2023 Mpumalanga Enduro Series will take place MTO White River on Saturday 10 June. Online entries are open here: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=307587
Overall Men
1 Christan Kirsten 21:10.125
2 Ruben le Roux 21:29.069
3 Christian Smit 21:59.363
4 Sean O’Flynn Madden 23:07.416
5 Denzil Lawrie 23:15.217
6 Gabriel Burns 23:34.899
7 Trent Sinclair 23:44.116
8 Carl Deary 23:49.162
9 Chris Stafford 23:58.577
10 James Gerber 24:38.471
Elite Men
1 Christan Kirsten 21:10.125
2 Ruben le Roux 21:29.069
3 Christian Smit 21:59.363
Junior Men
1 Andre van Deventer 25:40.863
2 Armand Reyneke 28:03.957
3 Matthew Watson 47:32.731
Youth Men
1 Gabriel Burns 23:34.899
2 Ewan Fritz 25:07.603
3 Juandre Pretorius 28:20.139
Sub-Junior Boys
1 Luke Stafford 26:15.678
Sub-veteran Men
1 Gawie Combrinck 25:30.022
2 Hamilton Flowers 29:03.031
Veteran Men
1 Denzil Lawrie 23:15.217
2 Carl Deary 23:49.162
3 Chris Stafford 23:58.577
Master Men
1 Sean O’Flynn Madden 23:07.416
2 Trent Sinclair 23:44.116
3 Arrie Roos 27:13.180
Grandmaster Men
1 Anton Blignaut 24:52.972
eBike Men
1 Sam Breero 30:47.221
Lite Men
1 Morne van Niekerk 20:28.112 (Sprog)
2 Coenraad Combrink 23:05.561 (Sprog)
3 WJ Combrink 25:46.416 (Sprog)
Overall Women
1 Kerry Rice 33:59.499 (Grandmaster)
2 Corne Ackerman 38:14.432 (Master)
eBike Women
1 Christelle le Roux 30:09.324
