13 October 2015

Jeep Team's Dodd and Dolman Crowned SA's BMX Champions

Submitted by: Nissin
Jeep Team's Dodd and Dolman Crowned SA's BMX Champions

Jeep Team’s Kyle Dodd (21) and Alex Dolman (15) were both crowned South Africa’s National BMX champions in their respective categories at an action-packed 2015 South African National BMX Championships, which took place on Sunday 11th October 2015 at the Alrode BMX Club in Alberton, Gauteng.

On the day, Dodd proved beyond doubt that he had fully recovered from the severe wrist injury he sustained in April this year, to claimhis third successive Elite Men’s national title ahead of second-placed Tyler Klumper and Godfrey Buziba in third. The victory also earned the Jeep Team BMX star vital UCI points towards his 2016 Rio Olympics qualification.

Dodd told Cycling South Africa, “It really, really feels good to have defended my national title. The last little while has been quite a difficult time and it is great to finally be back!”

It was not all smooth sailing for Dodd in the run-up to the National final. After winning the first of three motos, he was then edged out in the second and third motos by a determined Alex Limberg, which led to an exhilarating Elite Men’s final showdown.

Explained Dodd, “It was such a stressful day for me. I knew Alex would be quick because he had been flying all weekend but I thought I’d still be able to find a way around him in the motos. He had an amazing start in both of the last two motos, and good track speed through, and there was just no way around him.Going into the break before the final, I was quite stressed as I knew the final was going to come down to whoever got into the first corner first! Fo rtunately, in the end, it all worked out for me and thankfully I was able to get the win. Kudos to Limberg too!”

Racing in the U15 category, Jeep Team’s youngest athlete, Dolman, secured the win ahead of Jason O’Shea (2nd) and Liam Trusler (3rd). On the Saturday prior to the National finals, both Dolman and Dodd also shone in their respective age categories at Legs 7 and 8 of the 2015 SA BMX National Age Group Series, which also took place at the Alrode BMX Club. These two Jeep Team athletes won all 7 of their races.

Other Jeep Team news…

MTB

In the Western Cape, Jeep Team’s Dylan Rebello claimed an outstanding victory on home turf, winning Saturday’s 85km Tour de Plett in a time of 3:40:00, ahead of Neill Ungerer in 2nd (3:40:56) and Neil Clark in 3rd (3:42:28).

Said Rebello, “What a great day out again at the 5th Tour De Plett. This is always a great event with absolutely stunning views of the coast and was made even better this year with a new route and a few floating bridges. Thanks to Jeep South Africa for supporting me, Cadence Nutrition for fuelling me through the windy conditions and POC South Africa for keeping the wind out of my eyes. I’m really happy to come away with the win!”

In KwaZulu-Natal, Jeep Team’s Pierre Smith and Thinus Redelinghuys paired up to take on the gruelling three-day Berg and Bush MTB Stage Race, which took place from 9 – 11 October. The Jeep Team duo finished 6th overall in the Elite Men’s race. James Reid and Brendan Davids won the 2015 Berg and Bush, followed by Waylon Woolcock and Matthew Beers in 2nd and Gawie Combrinck and Johann Rabie in 3rd.

Canoeing

In the Eastern Cape, Jeep Team’s Hank McGregor and Barry Lewin competed in the 2-day Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon, which took place from 9 – 10 October. This marathon also doubled up as the 2015 South African K2 Championships.

McGregor and racing partner Jasper Mocké placed second overall K2 in a total time of 4:45:10 behind Greg Louw and Andy Birkettwho won the K2 race in 4:38:55, with Len Jenkins and Siseko Ntondini placing 3rd (4:48:51). Lewin won the K1 race in 5:35:30, ahead of Luke Criticos in 2nd (5:38:45) and Peter Jacobs in 3rd (5:47:57).

Obstacle Course Racing

Jeep Team’s OCR athletes were out in full force at Race#7 of the Jeep Warrior Series, which took place from 10 -11 October at the Meerendal Wine Estate in the Western Cape. Jeep Team’s Thomas van Tonder and Dominique D'Oliveira both finished second in their respective categories (Men’s and Women’s Black Ops Elite), just behind overall Men’s and Women’s winners Claude Eksteen and Hanneke Dannhauser respectively.

Jeep Team’s Jay Jay Deysel placed 5th overall and Joshua Masudi finished 9th overall.

Van Tonder and D'Oliveira are now on their way to Ohio, USA, to represent South Africa at the 2015 OCR World Championships taking place from 17 – 18 October 2015.

Published in Sports Range