INAUGURAL GOLOVANE A HUGE SUCCESS
The inaugural Golovane MTB race held on Sunday, July 6, 2008 and went off with remarkably few problems and the early feedback seems to suggest it was a race enjoyed by all who took part.
The perfect weather (sunny but not too hot), a brilliant course (a combination of fast riding with a bit of great single track thrown in) and a magnificent venue at Collisheen Estate meant mountain bikers could enjoy a stunning combination of great riding and relaxing afterwards.
Up front Roan Exelby proved to be the best on the day when he rode to a narrow but deserved victory in the 50km race by winning the sprint to the line with his teammate David Leiman. Pete Smith was third, a minute behind the leaders. Sean Merredew from Zululand ended fourth with Andrew Hill on his wheel, but they were about four minutes further back.

In the women’s race Tania Raats was completely dominant and enjoyed an easy win ahead of Ursula Morris with Louise Sander third. Raats, although never pushed in the dice for the women’s title, showed her class by ending 26th overall in a strong field.

Earlier the kids enjoyed their place in the sun when about 100 youngsters (and a bunch of their parents) had a fun ride to the Living Earth Dam, and then enjoyed the kids entertainment which was laid on by the Ballito Lifestyle Centre.

Parents and spectators were treated to a great finishing venue. After the finish all entrants were treated to a quality meal from Collisheen and the Lasagne, Chicken a la King and Vegetable Lasagne with salads hit the right spot.

The seven-piece band, Fugly, provided a great atmosphere as they crooned their way through a selection of 60s, 70s and 80s classics.

To all the riders who completed the races, congratulations; to those who were not there, bad luck, but hopefully we will see you next year.

To view the results please click here.

And finally, big thank you to the following sponsors who made the event possible:

• Box Lee packaging
• Island Tribe
  
• Living Earth
  
• Collisheen Estate
  
• Lifestyle Centre
  
• Juicy Jucy
  
• Thule
  
• Netcare Alberlito Hospital
  
• BMax
  
• Quad Trails

Please support them in any way you can. They make races possible and it is only fair we reciprocate.