Enduro motorcycle competitors will face a new challenge this Saturday (23 March) in the Western Cape with the inaugural running of the Ashton National Enduro - Round 2 of the SA Enduro championship - in the Ashton/Montagu area of the Langeberg.
One rider who will be out to prove a point is local Husqvarna hotshot Altus de Wet. The former champion couldn't finish the first round due to a technical gremlin, but he's fit and ready for a race on hiome turf, only a few kilometres from his hometown of Montagu.
2012 runner-up Marc Torlage will also be on a mission, after losing time in his previous outing, repairing damage to his Yamaha while his team mate Kenny Gilbert had a clear run into fourth place overall. The intensely competitive Torlage had settle for fifth, and will be satisfied with nothing short of a win at Ashton.
PRESSURE IS ON WADE YOUNG
Former enduro champion, Louwrens Mahoney (KTM) also suffered a technical issue in Round 1 that cost him valuable time (he's currently sixth), but he'll be well aware that his race times are on par with the leaders and he will doubtless be on the comeback trail.
His new team-mate, Scott Bouverie, started the season off with a third place overall and second in E2 (200cc), but will have to work hard to keep the rest of the chasing pack at bay.
The pressure will be on the overall and E2 leader, 16-year old Wade Young (Husaberg) who continued his winning streak after taking the final two rounds of the 2012 season - and the 2012 Roof of Africa! - with a victory in the first round of the 2013 season.
Another new name is that of E1 (Open Class) leader Nicholas Pienaar (KTM), who finished second behind Young while at the opening round and might fancy his chances of yet another podium result - or even a victory.
TALENTED YOUNGSTERS
There are some talented youngsters in the overall top ten - Blake Gutzeit (Sherco) made a welcome comeback after breaking his leg last year and is seventh; the runner-up of the 2012 Junior 125cc Championship, Brett Swanepoel (KTM) showed his steel from the start with an eighth place in Round 1 and Kargo Racing Yamaha's team-mates, Tim Young and Michael Pentecost round off the top ten 10.
While the E1 and E2 competitors are fighting for overall victory and the top spots in these two extremely competitive championships (E1 has received 30 entries which is more than double the amount of entrants in E2), the competition in both the Senior and Master Class Championships has been taken to another level.
Defending Senior Class Champion, William 'Wild Bill' Gillit (Yamaha) bagged the first victory of the season, but was chased all the way by Husaberg rider Jody Engelbrecht. Bruce May (Yamaha) is third, after a difficult first outing, Justin Broughton (KTM) is fourth and Gillit's team mate Stephen Landman rounds off the top five.
NEW NAMES
There are quite a few 'new' names on the Senior Class entry list and riders from the Cape, who have not competed in first event of the season, could also upset the applecart.
Expect the same scenario in the Master Class after the legendary Alfie Cox (KTM), competing for the first time in the Master Class Championship, beat multiple champion Denzil Torlage (Yamaha) in the opening race.
Torlage will try to catch up by scoring maximum points with a win while Cox will have to prove that he still has the consistency to carry him through an entire season.
TOP GIRLS
Silver class leader - and Junior National Championship contender - Damien Scott (Yamaha) will travel from Kokstad to Ashton to defend his lead from second-placed East London rider Sage McGregor.
Two lady entrants - Toni Jardine and Kirsten Landman (each on a KTM) are lying third and fourth in this class and will continue their ding-dong battle. They are competing in most of the various enduro and off-road series and one never knows who will emerge as the winner.
All the action will take place from the La Montagne Deli, about 9km from Ashton on the R60 towards Swellendam, starting at 8am. The route will take riders over the hills and down the valleys to Bonnievale and back.
There will be two timed special stages, one within walking distance from the Deli while the other will be the last 10km of the loop.