White and Swanepoel to tackle Drak Descent
Ballito-based mountain biking star Tyronne White will introduce a young Justin Swanepoel to stage racing when they team up for the upcoming Euro Steel Drak Descent presented by FNB from 29-30 January.
The DriveTrain duo will be amongst what’s expected to be a strong field of teams for the 2022 edition of the race following the cancellation of the race in 2021 due to the global pandemic.
White, who recently won the aQuellé Tour Durban MTB Challenge, has been in strong form throughout 2021 and will be hoping to start the New Year with another positive result.
“The Drak Descent is always a nice way to start the year and get those legs going again after a break over Christmas,” White said.
“Being the first event of the year makes it a drawcard for a lot of riders as well as it being one of the more affordable stage races around.
“Also being up in Underberg for a weekend is always special so to have the chance to get a little break and ride is a bonus.”
White will be racing with the young Swanepoel and for the veteran it’s going to be a good first taste of stage racing for the youngster.
“Justin is one of the top cross country riders in KZN and has won the provincial championships twice so he has a bright future.
“It’s going to be exciting racing with him and I’m looking forward to giving him as much of my knowledge as I can and get him to understand how stage racing works.
“With the distances on each day, the Drak Descent is a great race to get into stage racing,” White added.
While the distances are manageable, the top riders will have to be positive over the two days, particularly as there are elements that White believes will make up for the shorter distances.
“The trails are going to be technical and there are some exciting sections which we are looking forward to.
“It’s important to make sure you are concentrating throughout the race and I’m sure that we will be ready for whatever we get,” he commented.
The PYGA Euro Steel team will be at the event and will bring some of the country’s top stage racers and racing against them will be an exciting experience for Swanepoel.
“They are on another level and having some of South Africa’s best there is always going lift the profile of the race.
“It’s going to be fantastic for Justin to see how they go about racing a stage race and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
