South African National Championships - Stellenbocsh, South Africa

Orange Monkey-Cannondale rider, Rourke Croeser produced a stunning display of grit and determination to win the Cross Country National Championships in South Africa.

Bouncing back from his disappointment at the Continental championships, where a crash whilst leading the race gave him 4th position, Rourke was understandably delighted.

Having won the National title in South Africa from 2003 through to 2009, some critics had under-estimated the form Rourke was in at the start of the 2011 season.

Rourke took the race by the scruff of the neck in the early stages and put the power down on a tough hot course in Stellenbosch, just outside Cape Town. Opening up a gap of 25 seconds by lap 4, Rourke kept up the tempo and went into the bell lap still with a 20 second lead.

This was to be the first National Jersey for Orange Monkey-Cannondale and a proud team manager who never doubted the form Rourke has shown at such an early stage in the year. Rourke will now look towards the first World Cup in Pietermaritzburg before coming over to Europe.

Pictures courtesy of Chris Hitchcock (Photo Bay)