The knysna ouster festival. An iconic local race.
Featuring both MTB and Road races.
The knysna oyster festival has been such an inspiring race for me. Infact, it was my first propper sanctioned race. The race which got me hooked onto the thrill of riding flat out, as hard as you possible could.
It was, what i like to call. The birth of my cycling.
I have done this race 4 times now.
The first time, I entered in just for fun. Something fun to do i came across the line in the 30km with a 8th or 9th
This was a real motivational race, which is why i
decided to give it another shot.
So i came back the following year. Gave it my all and came back with 4th. I was really chuffed with my improvement. Not really following any plans of fitness.
In 2017. I came back. But with a desire.... a desire to get the fastest time. And I did.
I set both my mind and entire training schedule towards winning the 30km. The race i had always done. I came across the line with 2 mins on 2nd. And 4 on 3rd. Was an amazing day for me! I then rode the 50km road the following day, and came back with 2nd in my age and 7th overall
But however.... yesterday.... on the 30 of June 2018. All of this changed.
The iconic local race had a twist.
I hadnt set my mind on wining the race. And i had entered the 50km mtb.
I planned to just race. Not have any plan.
A lot of Cape Town, George, JHB and Pretorian guys were there.
We started off with a massive climb about 3 km in. It was really early into the race.
Little did I know that i soon found myself and 1 other guy Tristan Nortje all alone. We dropped everyone.
(Im at the back, hes in front in the image)
This left me with a good mindset. I felt amazing.
Tristan and I then continued to ride solo, forming a 6min gap around 25km in on 3rd.
I then made a little mistake around a slippery muddy corner at the bottom of a steep climb which left me all alone while Tristan made a break for it.
I then consolidated my 2nd through out the remaining part of the race and came across the line in 2nd place. With a wheelie
I was chuffed with my form and was really happy with the support i had received.
But then found out that I had been DQd.
We then spoke to the Comasair and he said he'd give me a warning.
So we waited 3 hours until prize giving only to find out that a guy named Mark Thompson was in second.
We searched everywhere for him... no one knew him and he didnt go onto the podium... hes not real
We are not letting this slip. There are many other things whic the Comasair has done in this instance lile publashing the wrong results after agreeing that I did get secind - which are adding to the anger, frustration and lack of respect he has created towards himself from the people who have trained, traveled and spent so much money on getting there.
There were many many many problems yesterday with peoples times being incorrect and names wrong.
The moral of the story is. Honestly is key.
What people who cheat do to you today, will stick with you for 6 months. But will stick with them for 6 years.
