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Dustin Rudman, 26 years old, is a Downhill MTB rider from Johannesburg West who will be taking part in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Series in Pietermaritzburg this weekend (11th and 12th April) for his first time.
The first leg of the Mountain Biking World Cup will be taking place in Pietermaritzburg (PMB), Kwa-Zulu Natal. This local leg of the World Series allows for some relatively unknown and un-sponsored athletes to make a name for themselves and compete on the grand stage.
Dustin Rudman has been Downhill Mountain Biking for 4 years now and his dream has finally come to reality, as he left to compete in the World Cup. “I started riding late 2010.Originally, I kicked off by buying myself a dirtjump bike, which I still have and continue to use for dirt jumping. One day I was manualing on the back wheel down a road in my neighbourhood, when a guy approached me and spoke to me about downhill. He said that I should come check out the race that next weekend at the local Helderkruin hill and I did,” Dustin explained. “That day I took my bike with, of course, and I ended up racing in the hardtail category placing 2nd place for my first time out, not to mention beating some of the full suspension bikes. It then clicked, that I want to go further in this sport. There was this awesome vibe amongst the other riders, it still continues. The amount of fun I have riding my downhill bike is unexplainable, you should try it, it’s like a little bug that bites and keeps you smiling”
Over the past year, Dustin has had to compete and do well in various competitions around SA to earn at least 20 UCI points which allows him to compete in the qualifiers the day before the World Cup Finals.
Today, Dustin has registered and gets to see the track with other local and international downhill junkies. Timed practice sessions on Thursday will give Dustin the opportunity to see where he stands in the field and observe other competitors.
Friday is the most important day. On the 11th April, all downhill bikers from around the world including Dustin participate in the qualifiers. Only the top 80 downhill riders will go through to the finals on Saturday, 12th April 2014.“My first goal is to qualify on Friday. I know I’m capable of doing this, I just need to keep my focus and have a smooth run with no mistakes. Once that’s done, I will feel less pressure for the final run on Saturday. I always expect a lot from myself. I will have to take it all in on race day, for a first world cup I could do with a top 30,” Dustin said.
While practicing at a local track that Dustin helped build, in the South of Johannesburg, he expressed his nerves and excitement for his first major international event, “Since receiving my email saying I had qualified for the World Cup, I have been practicing nonstop for the biggest race of my career. I have dreamt of going to the world cup and it is finally here! I have been to PMB for the past 3 weekends getting a feel for the mad jumps and rad peddle sections of the 3km long course. Riding local tracks every day after work have helped with my confidence and fitness and I am fairly sure I will be able to make the qualifiers.”
Over the past year Dustin has competed and placed fairly well in numerous races including The Malelane Down Hill Challenge – Dustin’s favourite Track. Dustin said, “My favourite track has got to be Malelane downhill track, the track is just amazing! Super technical with some rad jumps, high speed sections and serious gradient, its proper downhill rough stuff. I must also add that, that track will not be there if it wasn’t for Dirk Lourens, he made that track happen! Big up!”
Dustin has proved that goals are achievable through hard work and a little fun. While on track Dustin enjoys every corner and jump and in the end is happy because he gets to ride regardless of the result or injuries.
From LW Mag we’d like to wish Dustin all the best for this weekend. Give it horns dude.
Words by Terence Vrugtman
Photos by www.AdventureLife.co.za
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