Stage Two of the FNB W2W MTB Adventure delivers riveting riding

Fondly referred to as the Play Day, Stage Two of the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Adventure started at Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw) and saw riders having to complete a 67km route that included the best bridges and structures built for the sport of mountain biking before crossing the finish line for one last time at Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw).

Mountain Bikers in action during Stage Two of the FNB W2W MTB Adventure that started and finished at Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw) on Saturday, 01 November 2014. Credit: Cherie Vale / Newsport Media.

Theresa Ralph and Michael Petersen of Team RBS secured their second stage victory completing the 67km route in an impressive time of 03 hours 40 minutes 15 seconds. “Today was amazing,” says Ralph. “The bridges featured during Stage Two are unbelievable. The Paul Cluver Amphi Bike Park is beautiful, something different, while the structure at Kromco is great fun, cool, flat and fast. The first two stages of the FNB W2W MTB Adventure have been world class. I am happy to be getting in some last minute training before the FNB W2W MTB Race”. Coenie Thomas and Leorine De Wet of Team Operation Smile SA came in second, while Neill Ungerer and Thea-Mari Van Der Sandt of Team Scott 2 Lovit finished third.

Lolita Van Aardt and Nadia Visser of Team Tailormade Properties also secured their second stage victory crossing the finish line in 03 hours 49 minutes 32 seconds. According to Van Aardt Stage Two featured beautiful scenery. “We are very happy not to have had any mechanical issues today. The event has been fantastic, from the food to the weather. We will take tomorrow as it comes”. Kathy Crabbe and Wendy Potgieter of Team Specialized Songo came in second, while Desiree Strydom and Arlien Mattheus of Team Ongegund finished third.

Michael Creedon and Andrew Davies of Team Oakhaven-Granite were on top form on Saturday, 01 November 2014 claiming gold in the men’s category of the FNB W2W MTB Adventure in a time of 03 hours 18 minutes 31 seconds. Seen here (from left to right): Michael Creedon and Andrew Davies in action on the day. // Credit: Volume Photography

Competition was rife in the men’s race. Michael Creedon and Andrew Davies of Team Oakhaven-Granite were on top form claiming gold in a time of 03 hours 18 minutes 31 seconds. Joel Stransky and Jeremy Thomson of Team Rugby Celeb Team 2 came in second, while Anton Koller and Gregor Krall of Team Rehidrat Sport finished third.

Self-proclaimed roadies, Ivor Potgieter and Erik Saayman of Team Dirty Roadies, were very excited to have Stage Two under the belt. “We might not be able to ride single track, but at least we were the first two people to order a cold beer from the bar,” laughs Potgieter, who has added the FNB W2W MTB Adventure to his bucket list to do with his wife.

FNB Wines2Whales MTB Adventure Stage 2 results are available here.