2018 Dustin Rudman Invitational Stop 2

History was made at Stop 2 of the 2018 Dustin Rudman Invitational Downhill MTB race over the weekend (25 and 26 August), seeing a record number of entries and 143 riders taking to the start gate. The DRI at Heldekruin Hill on Joburg’s West Rand offers something special to all riders of all skill levels in both Enduro and Downhill, and it shows through the sheer amount of participating riders and weekend-long stoke levels on the hill.

Dustin Rudman and his team put in an amazing effort to get a new line put into the track creating a fun, challenging and technical course. Saturday’s practice day saw riders make use of the shuttles to get as much time on the course as possible, and get to grips with the various lines on offer. Although the track was dry and loose, which is expected after the Joburg winter season, lines were quickly formed resulting in the track running faster and faster.

Sunday’s race day kicked off in spectacular fashion as spectators, teams and families cheered on their favourite riders. Each rider had two runs to attack the track with their fastest of the two counting as their overall time.

It was a heated battle between the top Men with the top three times being within 2 seconds of each other. Cullan McMaster put down a time of 1:17,962 to take the 3rd fastest time of the day. He was followed closely by his brother, Struan McMaster who’s time of 1:17,747 was just a few split seconds off and the 2nd fastest time. It was Frank Meyer’s blistering time of 1:15,592 that took top hounors and 1st place.
Frank Meyer
Struan McMaster
Cullan McMaster

Among the Ladies, Steffanie Grossmann was the one to beat as she put down the fastest time of 1:32,961 to take the overall. Julia Kotze followed with the 2nd fastest time of 1:37,405, and Cindy Porobich’s time of 1:44,502 took the 3rd fastest for the day.
Steffanie Grossmann
Julia Kotze

A big thank you goes out to Dustin Rudman and his team for putting this incredible event together, as well as the parters that make it possible; Red Bull, International Trade (Spank and WTB), Baruch Adventure Projects, Afriski, Rapid Studio, Digital View, Ride with Zeal, Ballistic Bike Armour, Netnikes Beard Oil, Send-It, GreaseTec, Trailtech Cycles, DirtLab, Rapid Response Services and Joburg City Parks.

2018 Dustin Rudman Invitational Stop 2 – Top 5 Results

Men
1st Frank Meyer – 1:15,592
2nd Struan McMaster – 1:17,747
3rd Cullan McMaster – 1:17,962
4th Hayden Brown – 1:20,143
5th Martin Zietsman – 1:20,804

Women
1st Steffanie Grossmann – 1:32,961
2nd Julia Kotze – 1:37,405
3rd Cindy Porobich – 1:44,502
4th Robin Stewart – 1:45,257
5th Nikki Alvin – 1:48,253

Photos by Amanda Swanepoel Photgraphy.