A local mountain biker recently represented South Africa in the mountain bike world championships.
Frankie du Toit, a Stellenbosch local, participated in the downhill event at the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. The world championships took place between 25 and 29 August in Val di Sole, Italy, according to Du Toit.
Frankie du Toit, a Stellenbosch local, recently participated in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. She participated in the downhill event, according to Du Toit. PHOTO: Supplied/Frankie du Toit
“Specifically what I do is downhill, which is a type of mountain biking,” said Du Toit. “I qualified [for the world championships] through the national championships in March.”
The downhill event is “a race against the clock in which the rider negotiates a succession of fast and technical passages”, according to the world championships website. Du Toit told MatieMedia that she was one of seven downhillers who represented South Africa at the world championships – two of whom were women.
The qualification day for the championships, which occurred on 27 August, gave the athletes the opportunity to qualify for the top-40 women’s section and top-80 men’s section, according to Du Toit.
“I crashed out in qualifications, so I couldn’t even race,” said Du Toit. “I broke my wheel, but I was relatively lucky because I was okay. I just went to do my best and enjoy the experience and learn as much as I could. And I feel like I did that,” said Du Toit.
Frankie du Toit, who represented South African at the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, did not make it to the top-40 women’s section, because she crashed and broke her wheel on the qualification day on 27 August. “It’s one of those things that you kind of have to realise when you do it. It’s a risk,” said Du Toit. PHOTO: Lara van Zyl
The ongoing cycle
Du Toit is the bike shop manager at Hellsend Bike Compound in Stellenbosch. She was introduced to the world of mountain biking when she was 15 years old, she said.
Du Toit told MatieMedia that she raced competitively in cross-country biking until she was 20 years old. “I switched over to downhill and have been doing that for the past three years,” she said.
During her career, Du Toit has accumulated sponsors such as Fox Racing, Trek Bikes South Africa and Cadence Nutrition.
“We got to know Frankie back in 2017,” said Kevin van den Broek, marketing manager of Trek Bikes South Africa. “She is one of the most passionate and energetic personalities in our system.”
Pedal to the metal
When Du Toit was a cross-country mountain biker, she had training sessions six days a week.
“I stepped back from cross-country because I got burnt out and I couldn’t do it anymore, but now I’m just riding my bike when I want to and enjoying it more,” said Du Toit.
Frankie du Toit, who recently represented South Africa at the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, is the store manager at Hellsend Bike Compound. She has been working there since last year, when she was in her final year of studying sports sciences at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Lara van Zyl
In order to train for downhill riding, Du Toit has to do a lot of strength-based exercises. “It’s power-based…so it’s short, maximum effort kind of stuff,” said Du Toit.
She does her strength training at Sky Gym, situated in Dorp Street, at least three times a week, according to Gemma Haywood, owner of Sky Gym.
“Frankie always pushes hard in every session,” said Haywood. “I have loved working with Frankie over the past few months as she brings such positive energy to the room, and is always ready to work hard.”