Sam Bull and Kyle Davids riding the PMB WC track

2012 UCI MTB World Championships - Leogang, Austria

Walking the track with the SA Team on Thursday morning, really got me excited. The track was absolutely insane, and was pretty rough,  even before hundreds of the worlds fastest riders were let loose on it. I couldn't wait to start getting some runs in. My bike was ready with the forks having had some love from the guys at Rock Shox.

I wasn't sure how my shoulder was going to hold up so I took the first day of practice pretty easy, which you actually can't do at Worlds - I have now learnt that you have to get up to speed on the track on the first day. That night it rained, which carried on through the whole of Friday - the muds were on the bike and the tear-offs were on the goggles. I had so much fun riding in the wet. My shoulder was holding up fine and I forgot about it, and focused on the riding. The high pressure hose worked overtime that night to get our kit clean.

After one run on Saturday morning I was ready for my timed run that afternoon. It would give me a chance to see how I stacked up against the other riders. I had a good run - I knew I could go a lot faster in the top corners and on the pedal and I couldn't wait to race on Sunday. I was 49th in the Timed Runs.

The weather was a lot better on race day, with the sun making an appearance. I ended up choosing to switch to my dry tires and I am still not sure if I made the right decision or not. I got into the start gate after a solid warm up and I was ready to go.

I managed to get the top section a lot better than I did in the timed runs which I was really happy about. I dropped into the first wood section with a clean run so far. Unfortunately I slipped out and went down which was a costly mistake. I was back up in no time and I gave it my all the pedal section that followed. Near the bottom of my run I ended up getting a bit wild off the wooden wall ride, and went off-track - a very disappointing race run. After a run like that I knew I would be way off the pace. I ended up 58th.

Although I didn't get the result I wanted, I learnt so much and had the time of my life. I am so thankful to everyone who was involved in making the whole experience so awesome! It is now time to focus on the 2013 season, set new goals, and prepare myself for the journey ahead of me.

World Champs Experience

Arriving in Leogang, and seeing the World Champs track for the first time has got to be one of my highlights of the year. When I set World Champs as one of my goals at the beginning of the year I didn't think that that it would be upon me so quickly.

The first thing I did upon arrival was rip my bike out of the bike box and build it up as soon as possible. I could not wait to get some European riding under my belt. Our accommodation was really nice. It was a massive house with everything we needed, from Wi-Fi to a high pressure hose. We were "comfortable" to say the least. After a wholesome meal of toasted sandwiches and boiled eggs, courtesy of myself and Adi Van der Merwe, we went to bed - 16 hours of travelling tends to make the body a bit a tired.

The next day we were met with sun and the most beautiful views of the Alps - perfect conditions to hit the bikepark. I was told that I would need to stiffen up my suspension before I got there, but I didn't quite believe them, until I rode there. I could not believe how much of a difference it made. 

The riding in Europe is just unbelievable. It takes you longer to get to the bottom of a run than it does to get to the top in the gondola - and the views from the gondola are mind blowing. I really started getting the hang of the riding and was having the time of my life. There is nothing better than riding in the big mountains with good friends. 

Wednesday was Round 2 in the bike park. There was big group of us all riding together - Johann Potgieter, Stefan Garlicki, Adi Van der Merwe and Tiaan Odendaal. It was awesome to ride with these guys. About halfway down the trail Johann and Stefan stopped after a corner. As I was trying to stop, my front wheel just lost traction. It was not a hard crash at all, more like a little slide along the ground, but as I got up I realised something was wrong. My right shoulder was no longer where it is supposed to be. It was not very painful but I knew it had to be put back in straight away. I asked Johann to put it back in quickly, but he had never done it before so he was slightly skeptical about it. He had no need to be though, because after a loud pop it was back in place. I was so relieved that "Dr" Johann was there to help. With my newly relocated shoulder, I rode to the bottom, taking it easy of course. All of this took place before the actual event even started.

That evening was the Opening Ceremony. It was amazing to walk through the streets of Saalfelden alongside all the other riders from the various countries. World Champs was now officially upon us.