About Me
- Richardt Ferreira
- Just another kid on the block with a love and passion for Cycling! Began taking cycling seriously at the age of 11 and from then on it bit me. Will be riding for Team Ellsworth SA in 2012. Join me in my quest of seeking greatness.
Sunday, 15 April 2012
SA XCO national #2
This past weekend was the 2nd round of the national cross country series, at the fountains, in Pretoria...and was sure to be a very exciting race!
We set off at 12:15, with an unexpected whistle as the commasaire was a bit confused with the times. A fast start on a flat road leading into a sharp right turn was where most of the placings were decided. The track was fast with absolutely no passing space. After the first climb it was Patrick Belton, Kyle Dorkin, Paul Rodenbach and myself, with Dylan Hattingh following closely behind. It stayed like this for most of the race.
Near the end of the 3rd lap I dropped a bit and pushed myself deeply in the red causing me to fade a bit. Then i got stuck behind an u23 rider giving the leaders even more of a gap. I then decided to just give it my all, ride as smooth as possible and maybe maybe catch up again. I picked up a bit but not enough to get on their wheels. Ended up in 5th. Well done to the rest, it was close!
Thanks for all the support on the track and afterwards. Getting closer! Next weekend I try again in Franschoek.
Till then.
Keep the wheels spinning.
Final results: Patrick, Kyle, Paul, Dylan, Myself.
We set off at 12:15, with an unexpected whistle as the commasaire was a bit confused with the times. A fast start on a flat road leading into a sharp right turn was where most of the placings were decided. The track was fast with absolutely no passing space. After the first climb it was Patrick Belton, Kyle Dorkin, Paul Rodenbach and myself, with Dylan Hattingh following closely behind. It stayed like this for most of the race.
Near the end of the 3rd lap I dropped a bit and pushed myself deeply in the red causing me to fade a bit. Then i got stuck behind an u23 rider giving the leaders even more of a gap. I then decided to just give it my all, ride as smooth as possible and maybe maybe catch up again. I picked up a bit but not enough to get on their wheels. Ended up in 5th. Well done to the rest, it was close!
Thanks for all the support on the track and afterwards. Getting closer! Next weekend I try again in Franschoek.
Till then.
Keep the wheels spinning.
Final results: Patrick, Kyle, Paul, Dylan, Myself.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Vineyard race-Lourensford-1 April
Today I took part in the Vineyard marathon race at Lourensford combined with the final stage of the Absa Cape Epic. By having some rain throughout the week, I knew it might be quite wet out there and prepared myself for the worst, luckily it was perfect conditions out on the course with some water crossing killing the lube on your chain. Luckily i came prepared!
I knew it was going to be a hard one having done it last year. Some hectic mountains on the 55km marathon surrounding Lourensford Wine Estate awaiting to be climbing in full force!
Immediately after we arrived i got on the rollers for some warm up and off to the start line it was. Was good seeing some big names on the line including Conrad Stoltz, current Xterra world champ.
The start was fast and took us straight up a hill going through some vineyards, the pace was hot and I stayed up there until the top then settled into my own pace. To my surprise up until then I was in front of Conrad...
I quickly got my legs going and picked up the pace starting to reel in some riders and before halfway I was sitting in 5th overall. Going up the big climb, Oliver Munnik hooked onto my wheel and we powered our way to the top. Then the hill got a bit too long for my liking and I dropped a bit, luckily for me 200m ahead was the final waterpoint with some black magic(Coke) awaiting to get poured down my throat.
I sat up a bit down the long downhill trying to catch my breath again and right at the end I got surprised with another rider sprinting pass giving me 8th spot overall.
The 29er rolled like a machine today, happy with my result!
Next race: SA XCO National Pretoria in 2 weeks time. Gonna be a cracker!
Keep the wheels spinning!
RF
Monday, 19 March 2012
World Cup #1 PMB
The first world cup of the 2012 season has finally arrived and the vibe in and around Pietermaritzburg was insane! You see cyclists everywhere you go, whether its at a coffee shop or a lodge, you will find some kind of cyclist there!
Photos courtesy of KZNMTB and Lee-Anne Cantrell
Throughout this week we were seen most of the time at the cascades shopping centre, busy getting the WC track dialled in and spending time with the Saffas around. The track was hard, very hard. Climbing around 280 metre per lap with some seriously technical sections causing an upset for some and for the rest its just part of the game.
Saturday was the big day for most, seeming that its the U23 and Elites racing but for us, it was just another race. Being out their on the track, camping with chairs and lots of food, watching the pros race was pretty good-until the heavens opened up and starting rain like mad!
Well done to all South African riders with the good results!
Sunday morning, 9:30am.
27 juniors stood on the start line waiting for the gun. I got seeded in the second to last row-meaning I'll have to get a good start. I got out the blocks fast and made up a few rows before entering the singletracks, and then everyone stopped. Running and getting on the bike saw me losing some positions but still up there. The first lap was my worst lap ever. Coming in almost last was something i would never have imagined.
Working my way back was hard, and soon I caught a few guys and passed them, but the lungs weren't there - struggling to breath up the climbs. The course dried up nice with the last few laps being smooth and fast especially the rock gardens! I finished in 17th on the day, 5th South African.
Thanks to the friends and family for the support! I have definitely gained some experience!
Next race will be a marathon on the last stage of the epic at Lourensford. Looking forward to the coming weeks' training!
Cheers
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Ellsworth Enlightenment 29er
I've finally made the change and got part of the 29 generation. Here is the new machine ready for the World Cup in less than 2 weeks time!
Wheelset : american classic
Fork: rock shock reba xx
Groupset: sram xx/shimano
Tires: schwalbe racing ralph
Weight: 9.6kg
Wheelset : american classic
Fork: rock shock reba xx
Groupset: sram xx/shimano
Tires: schwalbe racing ralph
Weight: 9.6kg
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Momentum Health xco #2
After a dissapoining DNF at the Nissan half marathon series in Tulbagh i had a good weeks' training before heading to KZN for 3 weeks.
I arrived in Hilton with much excitement seeing everybody i'll be spending time with over the next few weeks. Got my new 29er Enlightenment dialled up the friday before the race and went out to ride the track. They did a really good job, ensuring us a fast and enjoyable race!
Race day came and the game faces came out to play. After a good warmup we got called out for the startline. Luckily i got ranked on the frontline which always gives one confidence. A fast start by team mate Kyle and UK rider Alex Baker made things interesting.
The race kept getting more interesting as riders took turns in crashing and finally settled in after lap 3. I kept a constant pace making some ground on 3rd placed rider, but he just got away giving me 4th place in the Junior cat.
It's time to head out to the Cascades World cup track this week to get ready for the last race of the Momentum Health series. It will definitely be a cracker!
Be sure to watch the video made of our race as well as the womens race! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1B88zsRl4&feature=share
I arrived in Hilton with much excitement seeing everybody i'll be spending time with over the next few weeks. Got my new 29er Enlightenment dialled up the friday before the race and went out to ride the track. They did a really good job, ensuring us a fast and enjoyable race!
Race day came and the game faces came out to play. After a good warmup we got called out for the startline. Luckily i got ranked on the frontline which always gives one confidence. A fast start by team mate Kyle and UK rider Alex Baker made things interesting.
Be sure to watch the video made of our race as well as the womens race! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1B88zsRl4&feature=share
Sunday, 12 February 2012
season opener, first national and first day of being 18!
Sorry for the delay. This year has started with a bang and well, it still is! School has been killing me, being matric is hard work!All the people saying matric is easy...I'm still waiting for that part!
My training has been going really well! When you're training starts getting tougher than your normal base ride-you know you're on the edge of a new season lying ahead!
On the weekend of the 29th January I took on some WP juniors in what was my season opener, the first WP XCO provincial, held on the Slammer, in Durbanville. On race day it was extremely hot, and starting at around 12 midday is not one of the most fun things to do, especially when the thermometer reaches 42degrees...
Straight off the gun, the group made a split, with me lying 3rd. I struggled that day to keep concentration and made simple mistakes throughout the race and managed to end up 3rd junior on the day. Definitely one of my hottest races thus far.
Another 2 scorching hot weeks went by and it was finally time to show whose up there and whose not. It was the first national of the 2012 season. In this 2 weeks I have spent a fair amount of time on the new Slammer race track and felt confident. Track got dialled in, bike was feeling good and most importantly I was feeling good!
Saturday morning finally arrived, I was looking so much forward to it, not only for the race but because it was my 18th birthday as well! I felt that I owed myself a present, which I can only give myself by having a good performance!
At the track everyone seemed focused and ready and straight it was into game face mode! After a good warm-up they called us out for the start. I got seeded 5th, which meant first row, and then I knew I'll have a good start!
Right from the gun I had a perfect start and managed to get me in the top3, up the first climb I saw myself falling back to 5th position and stayed there. After a while I found some legs and starting racing my own race. I ended up 4th. Well done to team mate Kyle Dorkin on his 2nd place. Things looking good on the Ellsworth team!
Looking back at the day I realised some changes that has to be made and it will be made before the next XCO racing in KZN takes place!
Rocky patch on race day.
Got to give some credit to the Ellsworth team for all the help and support and the BMC guys for their support! Looking forward to meet up with everyone in KZN in a few weeks time!
After all the racing of the weekend I had to finish the weekend off with a bang being my birthday and all! I have been speaking about it for years and finally I got the chance to do it. SKYDIVING!
Sunday morning got woken up with excitement once again, had a good recovery ride and directly thereafter off to Melkbosstrand it was. I was so excited to get in that plane and just jump! First up was a couple and by watching them, just made me more excited. Finally they called me and in the plane I found myself starting to rattle! It was cold, extremely cold at 9000ft in the air! and then the instructor told me, it's time. So we got buckled up and out the door we fell! Falling for 30seconds doesn't feel like 30seconds, more like 10... and after hitting 5000ft the parachute opened up for a easy fall back to earth, admiring the scenery!
Definitely worth the 6minutes of falling all together! Everyone should do this at least once in their lifetime!
Be safe out there!
Richardt
My training has been going really well! When you're training starts getting tougher than your normal base ride-you know you're on the edge of a new season lying ahead!
On the weekend of the 29th January I took on some WP juniors in what was my season opener, the first WP XCO provincial, held on the Slammer, in Durbanville. On race day it was extremely hot, and starting at around 12 midday is not one of the most fun things to do, especially when the thermometer reaches 42degrees...
Straight off the gun, the group made a split, with me lying 3rd. I struggled that day to keep concentration and made simple mistakes throughout the race and managed to end up 3rd junior on the day. Definitely one of my hottest races thus far.
Another 2 scorching hot weeks went by and it was finally time to show whose up there and whose not. It was the first national of the 2012 season. In this 2 weeks I have spent a fair amount of time on the new Slammer race track and felt confident. Track got dialled in, bike was feeling good and most importantly I was feeling good!
Saturday morning finally arrived, I was looking so much forward to it, not only for the race but because it was my 18th birthday as well! I felt that I owed myself a present, which I can only give myself by having a good performance!
At the track everyone seemed focused and ready and straight it was into game face mode! After a good warm-up they called us out for the start. I got seeded 5th, which meant first row, and then I knew I'll have a good start!
Right from the gun I had a perfect start and managed to get me in the top3, up the first climb I saw myself falling back to 5th position and stayed there. After a while I found some legs and starting racing my own race. I ended up 4th. Well done to team mate Kyle Dorkin on his 2nd place. Things looking good on the Ellsworth team!
Looking back at the day I realised some changes that has to be made and it will be made before the next XCO racing in KZN takes place!
Got to give some credit to the Ellsworth team for all the help and support and the BMC guys for their support! Looking forward to meet up with everyone in KZN in a few weeks time!
After all the racing of the weekend I had to finish the weekend off with a bang being my birthday and all! I have been speaking about it for years and finally I got the chance to do it. SKYDIVING!
Sunday morning got woken up with excitement once again, had a good recovery ride and directly thereafter off to Melkbosstrand it was. I was so excited to get in that plane and just jump! First up was a couple and by watching them, just made me more excited. Finally they called me and in the plane I found myself starting to rattle! It was cold, extremely cold at 9000ft in the air! and then the instructor told me, it's time. So we got buckled up and out the door we fell! Falling for 30seconds doesn't feel like 30seconds, more like 10... and after hitting 5000ft the parachute opened up for a easy fall back to earth, admiring the scenery!
Definitely worth the 6minutes of falling all together! Everyone should do this at least once in their lifetime!
Be safe out there!
Richardt
Monday, 9 January 2012
2012 Race machine!
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