The Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run on Sunday (28 April) will have a new look and a new winner in both the men's and women's MTB races.

With both last year's champions, Julian Jessop and Christie-Leigh Hearder, committed to other events, there are sure to be two new winners with last year's runner-up, Tyronne White, looking like the early favourite to keep his unbeaten run going for 2019 in the men's race.

The Ballito-based coach, who will be taking part in the 60km Husqvarna Classic wearing the colours of his new DriveTrain Academy team for the first time, has become the rider to beat in KwaZulu-Natal this year. White has picked up wins at the Kamberg Classic, Berg 100 and Wartburg and the Drakensberg Descent team event with Andrew Johnson – who joins him in the new team.

"The Husqvarna Classic has always been a tough event, but I have always enjoyed it," said White. "Julian (Jessop) and I had a good dice last year and he beat me in the final sprint, so hopefully I can go one better and pick up the win on Sunday.

"I believe the course has changed a bit, although from what I have heard and read the 60km is not too different. I believe by moving the new start venue to Gwahumbe Game Lodge and Spa, one of the early climbs has been changed, which is probably going to mean a bigger front group for the first part of the race, which will make things interesting.

"The Husqvarna Classic has always been a brilliant event that I have always tried to do if possible. I missed it a few times because it clashed with the joBerg2c but I was not going to miss it this year.

"The route is always good with some really nice single track and some proper climbs, so the better mountain bikers do well. The organisers have always been very good at talking to the riders and listening to what they have to say, and then making changes that make the race better."

White's biggest challenge is probably going to come from Stuart Marais who has been concentrating on preparing for the Olympic-style cross-country racing as he aims for selection to the team to go to Tokyo in 2020.

With White concentrating on marathon-style events, the two have not raced head-to-head this year which adds another level of intrigue to what should be a tight fight for the win.

Another rider who could challenge is Andrew Johnson, White's teammate in the new team. The Ballito training partners have both moved to the new team which is sponsored by White's new training academy.

This year's Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run on April 28 will be based at the Gwahumbe Game Lodge and Spa which will provide a spectator-friendly venue for supporters and a relaxed setting for riders and runners to recover after their events.

There are various options for riders and trail runners with the blue riband event the 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme which is aimed at the province's experienced mountain bikers. The popular 40km Safire MTB Classic has a few changes to the route which has made the course easier as well as shorter than last year.

The 18km Gwahumbe Family Experience and 10km Fun Ride target the younger riders and those who are not confident enough to tackle a full 40km classic.

The trail runners will now start at the Gwahumbe Game Lodge on top of the plateau and finish at a beautiful waterfall in the valley. This makes for predominantly downhill routes for both the 16km Farmers Agri-Care Trail Run and the 9km Gwahumbe Trail Run. Shuttles will transport runners back up the hill to the start area for prize giving.

"We are so excited to be hosting the 11th Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run at the new venues," said race organiser Shanon MacKenzie this week. "We have already had such good feedback on the new routes from riders as well as runners and only positive comments from athletes who have tested the new routes.

"I am convinced we made the correct decision to move the start / finish venue and am excited to see how much people enjoy the new setting."

One of the riders who was part of the pre-ride on the 40km route, Andrew McKinnon, was full of praise for the route, saying there was 700m of climbing which is about average for a 40km classic but the course had "awesome trails with well-manicured single track with some beautiful berms."

His 12-year-old daughter, Jodi, who also rode the 40km route, was impressed by the "flowy single track" and said she did not find the route hard at all.

There are 800 Uzwelo shopper bags and 600 Quick Dry, Microfibre towels for the first entrants.

Each year, the Mid-Illovo community benefits from hosting the Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge and Trail Run with proceeds from the event going towards community upliftment.

Every entrant also has the opportunity to give back and help a child in this Midlands community by purchasing an Uzwelo School Bag, with a built-in raincoat poncho, for R150.

Enter online at www.roag.co.za or contact ROAG on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 086 100 ROAG/7624.

Entry Fees (early entry prices close April 24)

DIST EVENT PRICE

• 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme R220
• 40km Safire MTB Classic R190
• 18km Gwahumbe Family Experience R160
• 10km Fun Ride R80 (free for under 12s)
• 16km Farmers Agri-Care Trail Run R140
• 9km Gwahumbe Trail Run R100

For more information, visit www.husqvarnaclassic.co.za

The ever-popular Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run in KwaZulu-Natal will have a new look in 2019, including a new race venue and some revamped routes. 

This year’s event on April 28 will be based at the Gwahumbe Game Lodge and Spa which will provide an idyllic and spectator-friendly venue for supporters, while also ensuring a more relaxed setting for riders and runners after they have completed their events. 

The route for the 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme event, which targets the province’s elite and experienced mountain bikers, will be similar to the 2018 event, although there are a few tweaks to update and improve the course with some extra single track. The popular 40km Safire MTB Classic will have the most changes of all the mountain bike rides with the course shortened back to 40km while extra single track has been added. The highest climb - at just under 1000m - is early on in the race at 13.5km. The return loop has a gentler gradient.  

"The trail runners will have the biggest changes with new routes starting at the Gwahumbe Game Lodge on top of the plateau before finishing at a beautiful waterfall setting in the valley, where shuttles will transport runners back to the start/finish area and prizegiving. “The event has now outgrown the Mid Illovo Club, which hosted the Husqvarna Classic for 10 years,” said race organiser Shanon MacKenzie this week.

“We made the decision to move the start and finish venue to Gwahumbe Game Lodge that lends itself to an ideal area for relaxation and chilling after the competitors have completed their runs and rides. “More people will be able to enjoy the vibe and atmosphere that will make for a wonderful family atmosphere. 

“We have also changed the routes a little. With changes over the years the 40km had become 46km and some of the return climbs were tough for the riders we were attracting, so we got rid of some of the smaller ascents on the return route and reduced the distance. We have kept most of the single track so it will certainly be a more enjoyable ride.” The trail runs will have new routes starting at Gwahumbe and dropping down into the valley which should make for some fun, fast running in spectacular scenery. “The Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run was the first ever ROAG event all those years ago. This year will be our 11th event and we have built tremendous credibility within the mountain biking community who know that we host a superb event. The routes are always well thought out and the single track is manicured, well prepared and marked,” MacKenzie added. 

Riders and runners have a choice of six events at the Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run. There are two trails runs, the 16km Farmer’s Agri-Care Trail Run for the fit and experienced runners and the 8km Gwahumbe Trail Run for those who are looking for something a little less strenuous. Mountain bikers have four events ranging from the 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme, which is also part of the Quattro ROAG Series for the elite riders. The 40km Safire MTB is aimed at riders looking to test themselves while the 18km Gwahumbe Family Experience is a family-orientated ride for newbies, those still getting confidence on a mountain bike or trying to get fit. The 10km Fun Ride targets the younger set and U12 riders can enter this event for free. 

There are 800 Uzwelo shopper bags and 600 Quick Dry, Microfibre towels for the first entrants.  Each year, the Mid-Illovo community benefits from hosting the Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run, as proceeds from the event go towards community upliftment.   

Every entrant also has the opportunity to give back and help a child in this Midlands community by purchasing an Uzwelo School Bag, with a built-in raincoat poncho, for R150. 

Enter online at www.roag.co.za or contact ROAG on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 086 100 ROAG/7624.  

Entry Fees (early entry prices – entries close 24 April)

For more information, visit www.husqvarnaclassic.co.za

Calling all mountain bikers and trail runners – entries are now open for the 2019 Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run, with race options to suit the whole family.

This popular event has limited entries so don’t delay in entering.  The race starts on Sunday 28 April at Gwahumbe Game & Spa in Mid-Illovo in KZN.

The serious mountain bikers can choose either the 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme or the 40km Safire Classic route, while fun riders have the choice of an 18km Gwahumbe Family Experience or the 10km route, which is free entry for the under 12s.

For trail runners, the Farmers Agri-Care 16km or the 9km Gwahumbe trail routes offer spectacular trails through indigenous KZN bushlands and grasslands. Each year, the Mid-Illovo community benefits from hosting the Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run, as proceeds from the event go towards community upliftment. Every entrant also has the opportunity to give back and help a child in this Midlands community by purchasing an Uzwelo School Bag, with a built-in raincoat poncho, for R150. Enter online at www.roag.co.za or contact ROAG on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 086 100 ROAG/7624.

Entry Fees

For more information, visit www.husqvarnaclassic.co.za

The winner of the women’s race at the 2016 Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge, Jeannie Dreyer, said after the event that she “did not think much more can be done to improve the route.” 

She was wrong.  

The race organisers have managed to tweak and develop the course for the showcase 60km race this year and have made it even better than last year according to course designer Bruce Smith. 

The 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-Treme on April 30 will attract the cream of KZN mountain biking and by all accounts the riders in the area are in for a treat with Smith saying the race has to “keep upgrading and changing the trails to remain competitive.”  

Smith, the father of last year’s race winner Derrin Smith, is a farmer in the Mid Illovo area and leads the team of local farmers who design and build the 60km course. He said they have introduced more free-flowing single track which is not as technical as in 2016. “The route for the first 30km is similar to last year with lots of single track going through iNsingizi game farm. These are technical but worth it. “After 30km last year the race went on a lot of dirt road,” added Smith.

“As we’re getting more competitive as a race we want to keep the riders coming back so we’ve got to keep upgrading and changing the trails, so we’ve introduced more free-flowing single track in this section. “The final 12km remains very similar to last year, except we have cut out some of the climbs which proved a bit tough for a lot of riders last year.” 

But the day is not just about the racing snakes who are looking to test their legs over 60km of challenging mountain biking.

This is the 10th anniversary Husqvarna Classic and over the past decade the race has developed into one of the must-do events on the calendar because it offers something for everybody. 

For those mountain bikers who feel 60km is too much of a challenge, there is a standard 45km Safire MTB race and a relatively gentle 18km Gwahumbe Family Ride. And the younger set are also catered for with two 10km fun rides, one for the over 12s and one for the under 12s. 

The Husqvarna Classic was also one of the early movers when it came to incorporating trail runs into the day’s activities and they have reaped the rewards with relatively big fields for their 18km and 9km iNsingizi Trail Runs. 

The Husqvarna Classic is the fourth leg of the prestigious nine-race Quattro ROAG Series which brings riders together for a Grand Prix-type series of events. Riders win points for each event depending on their finishing position at each race. Stuart Marais is currently leading the men’s MTB ROAG Series tables and is expected to line up and add to his points tally at this popular weekend race. 

For the first time this year the trail runs will be incorporated into a ROAG Trail Running Series as well. But perhaps the last word should belong to Dreyer, who has raced and won events all over the world. “Being able to do some game spotting while riding is a real treat,” she said after enjoying her ride to victory in 2016.

“The variety of tracks and scenery within the race keeps it interesting and exciting to ride.  “It is most definitely one of the most exciting races in KZN,” – and it now got even better for the 2017 riders. 

Entries are open via www.roag.co.za for all events and will close on April 26 at midnight, but late entries will be accepted on the day. 

Do your bit! Give an Uzwelo school bag to an underprivileged Mid-Illovo child, when you add a R130 donation to your entry.  Registration begins at 05.30 on the day, with the first MTB race (60km) starting at 07h30. 

Enter online at www.roag.co.za or contact ROAG on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 086 100 ROAG/7624.  

Entry Fees

60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme - R190

45km Safire MTB Classic - R160

18km Gwahumbe MTB Family Experience - R140

10km Fun Ride - R70 (free for under 12s)

8km iNsingizi Trail Run - R115

9km iNsingizi Trail Run - R85 

For more information, visit www.husqvarnaclassic.co.za

Get into gear for one of the best-loved (and well-organised) races on the mountain biking and trail running calendar. The 2017 Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run is happening just less than two weeks before the gruelling Sani2C, making it a non-negotiable for those who are following a ruthless training schedule.  

“The best single track of any single day event” – that is how some riders have described this MTB route.  If that is not enough, the scenery is magnificent.  

Part of the ROAG series, there are various races, each of which run the gauntlet from relatively simple to strenuous.  

If a game viewing ride is on your sporting bucket list, don’t miss the 40km Safire MTB Classic that traverses two picturesque Game Reserves, Gwahumbe Game & Spa and iNsingizi.   

For serious riders, the 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme will test your resolve, but there are options for the whole family, including the 18km Gwahumbe Family Experience and the 10km Fun Ride.

It’s a great way to get the kids interested in sports and spending more time outdoors and as each of the tracks has different scenery, you could aim to do a different race every year.      

The 18km and the 9km iNsingizi trail runs cover rugged terrain through the game reserve.    

The trail run events will start early – at 6.30am – so that competitors have an opportunity to do a Biathlon by competing in both the run / walk and mountain bike races.   

Do your bit! Give an Uzwelo school bag to an underprivileged Mid-Illovo child, when you add a R130 donation to your entry.  

The first 800 entries will receive an Uzwelo goodie bag. Entries close on 26 April 2017 at midnight, but late entries will be accepted on the day.

Registration begins at 05.30 on the day, with the first MTB race (60km) starting at 07h30.  

Enter online at www.roag.co.za or contact ROAG on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 086 100 ROAG/7624.  

Entry Fees

• 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme - R190
• 40km Safire MTB Classic - R160
• 18km Gwahumbe MTB Family Experience - R140
• 10km Fun Ride - R70 (free for under 12s)
• 18km iNsingizi Trail Run - R115
• 9km iNsingizi Trail Run - R85  

For more information, visit www.husqvarnaclassic.co.za

The beautiful 700ha Gwahumbe Game & Spa in Mid-Illovo, KwaZulu-Natal, is the latest private reserve to join the ranks of others which have dehorned their rhinos.

Its partnership with Husqvarna and Hilton veterinary surgeon Dr Ryan van Deventer will, hopefully, ensure the survival of the lodge’s last remaining male rhino, eight-year-old Vuyo – and finally allow the expansion of its herd.

Previously, said Gwahumbe Game & Spa director Shanon MacKenzie, “We were too anxious about Vuyo’s safety to allow him to be photographed, and we postponed adding to the herd because of the risk of poachers wanting their horns. We are extremely fond of him: he came here when he was just three. The decision to dehorn him was made with his survival and safety very much at the forefront of our minds.”

The devastating decline in the rhino population – and the poachers’ savagery– is just one of the issues on the agenda for this year’s CITES COP17 Conference* (24 September-5 October in Johannesburg). Sadly, the battle for the animal’s survival has been a losing one, until recently.

A local rhino-dehorning campaign, using Husqvarna outdoor power products, is proving highly successful in the bid to save these beautiful animals from poachers. In KwaZulu-Natal, particularly, the practice is gaining momentum, with increasing numbers of private game reserves voting for this option. The process was first used to help reduce poaching pressure in Zimbabwe in the 1980s. When rhinos are dehorned professionally, the horn is taken above the growth layer of the skin. Rhino horn is like a fingernail: you can cut it or trim it without stopping continued growth. But poachers brutally uproot the entire horn from its base under the skin in the bone.

Vet Dr Ryan van Deventer started working on the dehorning project a year ago in various KwaZulu-Natal areas, including, more recently, at the popular Gwahumbe Game & Spa. “Before dehorning, many rhino owners used ankle bracelets and horn transmitters for monitoring purposes,” he said.  

“Although some of them are still resistant to dehorning, as the poaching problem escalates more and more reserves are realising they need to minimise the risk to the animals.  It’s not a total solution to the problem but merely part of a holistic plan to try to prevent poaching.”

The Husqvarna Group, a global frontrunner in the manufacture of forest, agricultural and garden power products, has provided Van Deventer with a battery chainsaw and a petrol one – the petrol saw for the initial cutting, and the battery saw for the finer trimming.  Some vets who work with rhinos are also relying on Husqvarna’s battery blowers to keep the rhino cool during the dehorning process. Battery products are fuel free so produce no harmful emissions. They are also quieter than their petrol equivalents and lower noise levels mean less anxiety for the sedated animal. 

“The Husqvarna chainsaw is quicker than an oscillating saw,” said Van Deventer. “Once the animal is immobilised and stable, the procedure takes about 20-30 minutes.” 

He said the Husqvarna blower played a vital role in keeping the rhino’s core body temperature down, which was particularly important during the procedure, especially in the hotter seasons. “There is always a risk with anaesthesia, and added to this is that white rhinos are particularly sensitive to the opioids. So we want to perform the dehorning as efficiently and quickly as possible.” 

He said the recommended method to reduce poaching risk was to remove the horn as low to the base as possible, in addition to removing the side walls of the horn.  This just leaves a small rounded bump of horn, reducing the poaching risk to the animal.”

Horns do grow back with time, but the rate depends on nutrition.  “Animals receiving a lot of supplementary feeding have faster horn growth, so dehorning every 15-24 months is a good guide.  But saying that, it’s not good enough to merely dehorn and expect there to be no poaching threat: you must ensure other checks are also in place.”

The plight of the rhino has gained international attention, and around the globe, various campaigns are creating awareness and raising funds to help conserve the animal.

Stefan Terblanche, former Springbok rugby player and CEO of the Rugby Legends, has added his voice to the chorus: “We must do all we can to reduce rhino poaching and I’m proud that we can help save the animal for future generations. It’s far better to have a dehorned rhino that is alive and that we can still enjoy seeing in our reserves.”

Husqvarna South Africa’s marketing manager Jacqui Cochran said: “We are extremely committed to this project, and thrilled that our diverse range of equipment is being used for a cause as worthwhile as saving the rhino.”  

For more information about Husqvarna, visit www.husqvarna.co.za and www.gwahumbe.co.za  

Ends