OLIVER NIELSEN QUALIFIES FIRST AT HOUWTEQ
Oliver Nielson from Denmark was the number 1 qualifier at Howteq. Photo Alex Williams
Grabow, South Africa-Oliver Nielsen was a surprise winner of the qualifiers for Sunday's Howteq, IGSA Nationals. He was followed by Mike Zietsman on his home territory. Mischo Erban sailed into third place followed by Richard Dweza in fourth. Dweza was the winner back in May on the High Rising side of the track.
Day one at Houwteq ran super smoothly, after a decision to change to the left-hand (Houwteq) side of the course, once the location of the beehives had been determined!
The main challenge of this course is the right-hander before the finish, which comes at the bottom of a fast hill, with a chicane in the middle.
The wind was blowing, and most riders were pushing faster during the day as they tested their tucks into the chicane and their lines around the corner.
The Mitsubishi shuttle provided a highly efficient service and the riders fitted in lots of runs in weather excellent conditions. There were several new riders and a couple of takers for the non-racing entry option, which is proving a popular way to get started with racing.