CURRENT downhill champion, Stefan Garlicki (25), is returning home from Europe to race on one of his favourite tracks and defend his 2015 title at the 2016 South African National Mountain bike Championships, which take place at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg this weekend, 16 to 17 July.
“I’m looking forward to next weekend, and I’m really looking forward to coming home,” he said. Garlicki has been racing and training in Europe for the first half of the year and eagerly anticipates getting back onto South African soil.
“I’m just going to go and do the best that I can and hopefully that puts me out on top. I feel great on the bike at the moment and I’ve had a couple of good results recently in Europe so I’m feeling confident heading in. But I’m sure the locals will be training hard on the track at home and will definitely be putting up a good fight,” Garlicki said.
He said that he loves the Cascades track.
“I loved the World Cup track. It was one of, if not my favourite track that I’ve ridden around the world. Mainly because of the high speed section in the middle with the huge table tops,” he added.
Coming from a motocross background, Garlicki feels a sense of nostalgia on the track, as the section he spoke of took him back to the days of racing.
Garlicki also said that the Cascades track has become increasingly renowned since hosting World Cups and a World Championship. “There’s a huge riding scene in KwaZulu-Natal. I have got quite a few friends from around there as well. I think all the elements come together in a good way. I’d say it’s always the favourite venue to race at,” he said. - Supplied
For more information go to http://www.cy clingsa.com/2016-sa -mtb-champs/
