Justin Victor Sabie Race report - SA DH Champs 2023

Ok… where to begin. I organized, built and raced the 2023 SA Downhill Champs in Sabie. Stress levels at a 12/10 all week.

Our racing normally starts on the Wednesday with a track walk and a decent dinner before we get kitted up and hit the hill for first run. This time was no different with the exception that Robbie and Nelson from RBC were here to support the team and do suspension tuning with the aid of telemetry to analyse before and after set-ups.

This was a complete game changer and I can see why it’s necessary. I built and tested the features of the track and felt my bike was good. After Robbie made his changes after analysing the data my bike was insane. The grip increased, the stutter and brake bumps were absorbed perfectly and the bike pedalled really well, all with minimal and subtle BUT necessary adjustments to the suspension. It completely blew my mind.

Hurricane Freddy mixed things up for Saturday practice with drenching the track so new tyres were the name of the game and smart and well-timed practice runs meant we could still see slippery conditions but also hit the jumps and rocks at a decent pace.

Sunday Seeding
Seeding is always a tricky one. Do you push or do you just get down and look at how the track has changed with previous riders and try forecast what it’ll look like when you race it… I opted to try hit the features at pace but didn’t pedal at all knowing I’d conserve energy…
4:28:73
3rd Sub Vet
I know I had a ton to give and liking the wet conditions I knew I had a shot at a podium.


Race Run
Beani, Dani and myself were at the top keeping the mood light and Beani and I decided to go full tilt to try claw back time and get the final times and results we’ve been working towards.

In the start hut the heavens opened and I knew I was in for a wild ride, excitement and nerves running into the red! But I was ready for it, knowing my Öhlins suspension and custom Pyga were running perfectly for the conditions.

My race run started very well, I nailed the first turn perfectly setting me up for the fast section into the first rock garden, I was going fast, really fast, when my back wheel slipped on a root flicking it out and colliding with a tree, high-siding me headfirst into the rock garden.
Cracking my helmet and getting up a little dazed and confused I ran into the woods to get my bike, then I pushed as hard as I could, I honestly had one of the best race runs of my life after that crash.
4:46:97
5th Sub Vet.
Obviously not the result I was aiming for but still very happy with my time

Grateful to have been wearing the Leatt body and head protection I finished with a mild concussion and a few bumps and bruises.

I’d just like to thank Robbie and Nelson from RBC (Öhlins) for the support this year and for being there for us this week and weekend. They completely eliminated all my race stress, setting my bike up 110% 
It’s amazing what you can do when your equipment works for you.

Next Team Race is Tranquilitas MPU Enduro which I am forced to sit out to recover.
So my and the teams next event will be the next national at Cascades on the 1^st and 2^nd of April.

Thanks again for all the support

JV
WoundedBEAR
Organic Athlete Gravity Team