Rising star Van Eeden back to defend his Karkloof Classic title
After blasting onto the KZN MTB scene with his victory in 2020, rising star Brendan van Eeden has confirmed he will be back to defend his title at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday, October 10.
His shock win last year started a succession of impressive results and set the 21 year-old product of Potchefstroom Gimnasium up as a force to be reckoned with on the local MTB racing scene.
“The Sappi Karkloof Classic win last year was a huge moment for me because I was new in the province and gave me great recognition and a real confidence boost,” said the VNQSH Pro Cycling team rider.
“I live in Hilton now and I ride the Karkloof trails a lot, so I am ready to come out all guns blazing for the Classic on 10 October.
“It is really nice to see all these great races back after so many events had to be cancelled, and it is going to be a great end of the season,” he added.
While he can claim to be a Karkloof local, the dramatically altered elite race with throw the race for the 2021 title wide open as the shorter elite race sets off in the opposite direction to the familiar elite race that crests the Lebanon climb.
“It might make it a bit of a sprint!” Van Eeden said. With my XCO background I love riding the Karkloof trails and I think the course will suit me, said Van Eeden.
“I will miss the 60km distance but if there are plenty of punchy climbs on the new 45km route I will be smiling!”
With the Illovo Eston race first on the cards, Van Eeden has his sights set on making an impact on the FNB Wine2Whales race in November to round off his competitive campaign for 2021.
The 2021 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival takes place at the Marriott Karkloof Country Club on Saturday 9 and 10 October.
More info can be found at https://www.karkloofclub.co.za/ events/sappi-karkloof-classic-trail-festival-2021/
Entries are strictly limited at https://roag.org/events/event-info/3677/sappi-karkloof-classic