Jacojacobsmtb

Eden XCO #2 P2🥈

Tough route with a crash that temporarily sidelined my contention. Despite falling on a previously injured knee, I assessed the situation and acknowledged that a DNF would jeopardize my standing in the series. I had to presevere through the pain and press on. Fortunately, there is no significant damage.

This race once again underscores the resilience required in competitive cycling, where overcoming setbacks is as crucial as physical prowess.

Thanks to everyone who supported me throughout the struggles of the race and was cheering me on the sidelines.🫶

Photo Credit:

Bergplaas 72km

Super stoked with the Bergplaas race this weekend! Bagged a solid P3 in the U23 category and P4 amongst the elites. Some proper climbs throughout the race and a hard ride with .

This race was no walk in the park, with each ascent testing my limits and every pedal stroke a testament to resilience. Despite a recent setback with a crash, I'm thrilled to see my performance bouncing back and feeling stronger than before. It's moments like these that remind me why I love this sport – the challenge, the camaraderie, and the sheer joy of pushing myself to new heights.

Just some 🛫

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Attakwas Extreme MTB tested every ounce of my endurance, under the relentless sun and over unforgiving terrain. I started off with a pace slightly too high, only to face the consequences in the later stages – battling cramps, fatigue, and an unwelcome headache. Despite the setbacks, I conquered what's hailed as South Africa's most grueling single-day race. The transition to the u23 category comes with its challenges, with longer distances and more seasoned competitors. The learning curve persists, but the thrill of the ride remains unparalleled.




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Race ready for my first Extreme!

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Jakkalberry Extreme Half Win + New bike day⚡️⚡️

Super stoked to get back to back wins on this race. Legs felt great, and I was able to ride stong from the start.

Also had new bike day on the Cannondale Scalpel! Huge thanks to .randa_cycle.run and for giving me the opportunity to race on this fast machine!

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Eden Xco #4

Second race for the weekend as well as the final race for the Eden series. Unfortunate a snapped chain caused me to fight back hard from 3:30 minutes behind on a tough course. I was able to ride all the way from last to second in my age category.

Even with this race, I was still able to take the overall win for the Eden Xco series!

📸 .gerber.52

Schools League #4

Final schools race for me. Had a blast racing, but some mechanicals held me back. Broke my bottlecage on lap 1 of 4, which caused me to almost lose my bottle twice. Still raced hard to try and get a good result. This was race 1 of 3 for the weekend.

Thanks to for supplying a great vibe to end of our schools racing.

📸 .gerber.52

Some more Schools Racing with some cat and mouse with

Started off the final lap, launching a monstrous sprint against for the single track, but got to a full stop after a younger(non competing) rider rode in front of us. Couldn't get away quickly enough after the mishap and had to try to catch up again.🫤
Had to settle for p3, which is still a good result.

📸- .gerber.52

SC Schools League #2 p3🥉

An intense weekend of racing, pushing ourselves to the limit! Despite a challenging start with a crash, I faced mechanical issues that required attention before I could chase down the riders from last place. It was a tough battle, but I persevered and managed to settle into the top 3 just as the final lap began. Huge congratulations to and for their exceptional performances, taking first and second place respectively.

I want to extend my thanks to everyone who supported me throughout the race. Your encouragement and belief in my abilities meant a lot and kept me going. Looking forward to more exciting races ahead!

📸- .gerber.52

SC Schools League #1 p1🥇

Yet another wet race, I had an enjoyable ride alongside the for the initial four laps. However, as lap five commenced, the competition intensified. Despite the slippery conditions of the wet trails, I maintained control throughout the race, ultimately securing the first position. It was a well-fought battle, with finishing in a commendable second place.

📸- .gerber.52

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Mudfest this weekend.

This is one of those "never doing that again" races that you end up doing again.

Started off quite nicely but throughout the second lap I struggled alot with the mud. Getting off the bike because of the mud caused me to struggle with my rhythm, but I pushed on to the finish.

Settled into p6 for the day after some close racing the final lap with

My WP season for this year has gone great so far with some solid results, significant improvement from the previous year.

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Wp xcm 2
🥉P3 Junior

I am super stoked of my racing this past weekend. The event began at an intense pace right from the start. I was able to break away with .otto2007 and together we formed a chasing group on the climbs.

Throughout the race, I remained focused on my goal, and despite the physical demands, I was able to maintain my concentration and push myself to the limit. I am proud to say that my hard work paid off, and I finished the race in 4th place overall and 3rd place in my category.

Congrats to and for taking p1 & p2.

Also that start was for the gram😜

📸- .gerber.52

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Some awesome racing at the WC XCO 3. Super happy with my performance at this weekend's race.
Ended up claiming p5 after some tough battling with and .06

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Eden Criterium #1

Unfortunately, Sunday's race didn't turn out as I had hoped. From the start, the pace was fast, but I tried to maintain a smooth ride. However, my rear tire got punctured by a nail. After replacing my wheel, I believed I was a lap behind the other riders, so I shifted my focus to supporting my teammate, , in our race. It turns out that I was still in the running for the podium, but I found myself in a tough position in the final corner and didn't have enough energy to maintain a sprint to the line.

Despite the outcome, I had a great time racing in the criterium and am looking forward to the next one. Thanks to everyone who helped with the race and the quick technical support to get me back riding after the puncture.

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Bergplaas p3🥉

Super fun race with the guys. We controlled the race from the start and then dropped the rest throughout the first climb. Set a strong pace in a group of 4 on the second and longest climb to tire the group. Managed to thin the group to 3 riders on the steepest section and set a fast pace to the finish.
Unfortunately my gear ratio caught up to me on the long descent and I had to settle for 3rd place on the podium.

Well done to .adventures and who claimed 1st and 2nd. Was super fun racing together again.

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Eden Xco #2--P1🥇

Second Xco in a row on this course to be raced in the rain.
The mud made it quite the challenge to keep rhythm, but after some time I started to get the hang of it again. Would find myself being rotated 90° because of the mud at some times. This made a certain section of the course a bit of a challenge each lap. But pushed on until the end and claimed victory.

Come to think of it, this is my first Xco win, so that's a box checked✅

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“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a determination.”-Usain Bolt

Testing out 's photography skills. Only a quick session, but some beautiful results.

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Went all out....
P11 at the SA Marathon Champs hosted at the Paarl Bike Fest. Went into the race with little training since my time away in Taiwan, but kept on focusing on giving it my all.

With a tough course and over 1700m of climbing it's easy to lose focus. Had good pace throughout the race with the occasional hiccup. Slid out on a turn and also clipped my shoulder on a rock, bruising it in the final few kilometres. Was still able to keep composure and finished in the 11th position.

Proud of the result in the end and looking forward to the rest of the xc season coming up.

Thanks for everyone's support at the race especially my coach and also

Huge congratulations to who took the win and is now a National Champ!🇿🇦

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Enjoying the jumps at Bloemendal.

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Wp xco #2
Some good Xco racing. Managed to get a good rhythm on the first couple of laps and settled into top 5 at some point. After some time I lost rhythm and fell back a bit still finishing in p7. First top 10 finish in WP xco for me which is definitely a plus considering the previous years events.

Next up some SA marathon racing this weekend. Definitely going to be a tough one.

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Eden Xco #1 Wilgewandel

P2 behind after 4 chain drops and a very rough course.

Stoked to do some Xco racing after some while. Hopefully this season can be an improvement on last years.
Next up Wp xco 2 at Bloemendal.

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🏁Some XCM racing this past weekend at the Jakhals Mtb & Trail Run Challenge.
Managed p2 overall with . Also took the win in the Junior category with .adventures in p2 and in p3.

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Attakwas Extreme Half

Happy with my performance at the this past weekend.
Came to the start line with a goal to set a sub 2 hour time.
The race was fast pace out right of the gate with attacks and breakaways forming as soon as the first climb. I managed to settle into a good pace with a few other riders throughout the first half of the race. In the second half I managed to form a chasing breakaway with and got some good distance on the other riders.
Last few kilometres I struggled a bit and lost Jaydan's wheel, but I still managed to pull off a 3rd in the Junior category as well as a 4th place overall.

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Wp Road champs.

Not really the race I was hoping for. Made a mistake moving to the back of the bunch to another Eden rider that caused me to mis the breakaway. Had to stuggle solo for some time until I got caught by chasing riders that ended bringing me back to a couple of "teammates". Just sat through the final 3 laps in paincave trying to do whatever possible for a better result. In the end claimed around top 10 after a final try for a sprint to the line which failed due to exhaustion.

Nevertheless a great experience and learning curve riding with some of the top riders in the WP.

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Playing around at the Minutes of Mayhem.

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Hell week:
You're about to go to war for the first time and the enemy is all your doubts, all your fears and everyone back home that told you you couldn't do this. Keep your head down, keep moving forward, no matter what never quit an you'll be fine.

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