Spirits were high at Oak Valley (Elgin) on Sunday morning (11 November 2012) where an impressive field of mountain bikers gathered for the third and final stage of the 2012 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati.
Matthys Beukes and Renay Groustra of Team RSA Web/Cango MTB took gold after three days in the saddle completing this insanely beautiful stage race in an impressive combined time of 08hours52minutes11seconds. According to Beukes they could feel the pressure on the day. “Going into stage three as the race leaders definitely put us under pressure. The stage was nice and fast, we didn’t want to risk anything. We’re very happy to cross the finish line unscathed. Renay and I have similar riding strengths and road really well as a team. Wines2Whales is definitely a must do event. The route is outstanding, a true mountain bike race. We definitely hope to defend our title next year,” says Beukes who also placed first at the 2011 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race where he teamed up with Dominic Calitz. Team Blend Property Group placed second after three days of racing, while Team RECM claimed the final spot on the podium.
Team USN Inov-8’s Carla van Huyssteen and Philip Buys claimed their second stage win for the weekend and the title of 2012 champions in the mixed team category with a combined finishing time of 10hours24minutes39seconds. According to Van Huyssteen stage three was tough, but fun. “For most of the day Philip and I would make up time on the single track, only to be caught by Yolande De Villiers and Johan Labuschagne on the open flat sections. They are really strong on the road, that’s the one section that Philip really had to help me on. We managed to pull away at approximately the 55km mark and then maintain our lead. The Wines2Whales was a lot of fun. It was great seeing the intense battle between the women’s teams, the competition was really strong. This was my first three day MTB race and it was awesome, from the organization to the routes. You can see that a lot of effort went into staging this race,” says Van Huyssteen. Team J&Y placed second after three days of racing, with Team Gogo and Gramps claiming the final spot on the podium.
In the women’s race Hanlie Booyens and Yolande Speedy of Team Momentum Specialised Insurance Ladies took the top spot on the podium with a combined finishing time of 10hours25minutes27seconds. Team Bizhub Ladies placed second, while Contego Ladies finished third.
EVENT SUMMARY
Starting at the picturesque Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West) on Friday (09 November 2012) 1200 mountain bikers (600 teams) had to complete a sum total of 209km in the saddle before finally crossing the finish line near Onrus Caravan Park on Sunday (11 November 2012).
STAGE ONE:
Date: Friday, 09 November 2012
Distance: 69km
Start: Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West)
Finish: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
STAGE TWO:
Date: Saturday, 10 November 2012
Distance: 65km
Start: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
Finish: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
STAGE THREE:
Date: Sunday, 11 November 2012
Distance: 75km
Start: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
Finish: Onrus Caravan Park (just outside Hermanus)
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For more information on the Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati e-mail entries@wines2whales.co.za or visit www.wines2whales.co.za
Matthys Beukes and Renay Groustra of Team RSA Web/Cango MTB took gold after three days in the saddle at the 2012 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati completing his insanely beautiful stage race in an impressive combined time of 08hours52minutes11seconds. Seen here (left to right): Matthys Beukes and Renay Groustra crossing the finish line just before Onrus Caravan Park. Photo Credit ~ Jetline Action Photo
Team USN Inov-8’s Carla van Huyssteen and Philip Buys claimed their second stage win for the weekend and the title of 2012 champions in the mixed team category with a combined finishing time of 10hours24minutes39seconds. Seen here (from left to right): Philip Buys giving Carla van Huyssteen a helping hand on the day. Photo Credit ~ Peter Kirk Media
In the women’s race Hanlie Booyens and Yolande Speedy of Team Momentum Specialised Insurance Ladies took the top spot on the podium with a combined finishing time of 10hours25minutes27seconds. Seen here: Hanlie Booyens in action on the day. Photo Credit ~ Cherie Vale / Newsport Media
