Events

Successful title defence for Kleinhans at Fedhealth MTB Challenge

· By Press Office · 3 comments

The second annual Fedhealth MTB Challenge kicked off at the majestic Meerendal Wine Estate on Sunday, 04 September 2016.

Close to 1300 mountain bikers lined up to experience the best that the Durbanville Winelands has to offer including spectacular MTB routes, clear skies and magnificent views of the ocean, Robben Island and Table Mountain.

ccs-62657-0-42623200-1473004197.jpgErik Kleinhans in action on the day. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg

Competition was rife in the men’s 65km Fedhealth MTB Challenge with Erik Kleinhans, James Reid and Konny Looser forming part of the lead group. Kleinhans admitted to being surprised by the competition on the day. “I didn’t expect there to be so many strong riders. We were still part of a big group of riders when we reached the first big climb. James increased the tension a bit, Konny and I followed. We worked together until the second last climb at Dorstberg where James launched a big attack. He was then 10 seconds in front of me and Konny 10 seconds behind me. James overexerted himself on the Quarry climb though. Konny and I passed him. The route was lovely. The climbs weren’t too major, the single tracks fun and the downhills fast.” Kleinhans claimed gold in a time of 02 hours 36 minutes 06 seconds. Konny Looser came in second, while James Reid finished third.

According to Looser, the 65km route was amazing. “It wasn’t too long. I could still concentrate towards the end. It was fun. Finishing second to Erik feels good. I just came back from a long off season in Europe, so I am happy to be able to hold the wheels of the fast riders.”

ccs-62657-0-48982600-1473004199.jpgVera Adrian in action on the day. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg

The women’s 65km Fedhealth MTB Challenge title was clinched by Vera Adrian. According to Adrian, the race was harder than expected. “There was a lot of climbing, but the route was super, real mountain biking. Katie surprised me. She caught me on the last climb. I had to work hard to pass her. This was definitely my hardest finish to a MTB race. It’s always nice to win.” Adrian secured an impressive finishing time of 03 hours 19 minutes 30 seconds. Katie Lennard came in second, while Ila Stow finished third.

Matthew Keyser claimed gold in the men’s 35km Fedhealth MTB Challenge in a time of 01 hours 35 minutes 55 seconds. Joel Schaefer came in second, while Daniel Van Der Walt finished third.

Courteney Webb was the lady to beat in the 35km Fedhealth MTB Challenge claiming victory in a time of 02 hours 09 minutes 37 seconds. Allison Morton came in second, while Liezel Jordaan finished third.

The 15km Fedhealth MTB Challenge saw Bobby Troskie cross the finish line first in the men’s race in 35 minutes 14 seconds. Antonio De Brito came in second, while Henry Owens finished third.

Danielle Barnard was the first lady home in the 15km Fedhealth MTB Challenge in a time of 39 minutes 25 seconds. Erin Jones came in second, while Sadi Grooduih finished third.

“Another Fedhealth MTB Challenge is now done and thoroughly dusted – and I have to say it was better than ever,” says Jeremy Yatt, Principal Officer of Fedhealth. “The weather played its part, and so did everyone who helped to make the 2016 edition the most memorable MTB Challenge yet. The attendance was great, the entertainment fantastic, everything was well-organised and it was evident that a great time was had by all – from the serious competitors to the families who got to spend a great day out together.

We’d like to offer our sincere gratitude to everyone who did their bit to make it such a special weekend. We look forward to seeing you all next year!”

With an array of food stalls serving up mouth-watering treats combined with Meerendal’s award winning wines and live music, participants and spectators could enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon outdoors in good company.

RESULTS: Fedhealth MTB Challenge

65km Men
1 Erik Kleinhans 02:36:06, 2 Konny Looser 02:38:08, 3 James Reid 02:39:24, 4 Adriaan Louw 02:45:14, 5 Bradley Weiss 02:45:14, 6 Renay Groustra 02:47:55, 7 Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse 02:49:56, 8 Jurgens Uys 02:51:00, 9 Nico Pfitzenmaier 02:52:17, 10 Stuart Marais 02:52:54

65km Women
1 Vera Adrian 03:19:30, 2 Katie Lennard 03:19:52, 3 Ila Stow 03:30:14, 4 Louise Ferreira 03:31:57, 5 Kate Slegrova 03:38:47, 6 Jeanie De Villiers 03:43:30, 7 Vicky Van Der Merwe 03:45:54, 8 Tanya Rabie 03:48:05, 9 Tarryn Povey 03:49:21, 10 Anneke Hanekom 03:49:35

35km Men
1 Matthew Keyser 01:35:55, 2 Joel Schaefer 01:38:30, 3 Daniel Van Der Walt 01:41:35, 4 Thomas Moss 01:42:43, 5 DianKotze 01:44:49, 6 Ico Coetzee 01:45:27, 7 Tjaart Van Der Walt 01:46:23, 8 Armin Occonnor 01:49:27, 9 Andrew Mcpherson 01:56:16, 10 Kieran Horsford 01:57:09

35 Women
1 Courteney Webb 02:04:34, 2 Allison Morton 02:09:37, 3 Liezel Jordaan 02:10:11, 4 Saskia Van Der Merwe 02:18:45, 5 Luetta Van Der Westhuizen 02:21:24, 6 Michelle Van Zyl 02:21:32, 7 Cally Silibabauer 02:24:48, 8 Elli Scheffer 02:30:21, 9 Linda Petersen 02:33:23, 10 Heidi Brett 02:36:00

15km Men
1 Bobby Troskie 00:35:14, 2 Antonio De Brito 00:35:21, 3 Henry Owens 00:35:32, 4 Thando Sgundla 00:35:33, 5 Storm Lanfear 00:35:50, 6 Rory Harris Smith 00:38:12, 7 Nicolas Lipinski 00:38:13, 8 Herman De La Guerre 00:38:17, 9 Ethan Marais 00:38:23, 10 Johan Fritz 00:39:31

15km Women
1 Danielle Barnard 00:39:25, 2 Erin Jones 00:40:57, 3 Sadi Grooduih 00:41:58, 4 Amelia Owens 00:42:23, 5 Kaylie De Jager 00:43:39, 6 Sheyaun Botha 00:44:12, 7 Thea Roodman 00:44:34, 8 Liza Adlem 00:45:11, 9 Nina Adlem 00:45:13, 10 Karla Higginbotham 00:46:19

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Comments

Matt

Sep 5, 2016, 2:52 PM

After a very last minute entry I lined up at the back of the 65km.

What a great route. Very few free miles, but plenty smiles with all the single track :) 

No doubt some tired legs around today after all that climbing though!?

Jewbacca

Sep 5, 2016, 3:02 PM

After a very last minute entry I lined up at the back of the 65km.

 

What a great route. Very few free miles, but plenty smiles with all the single track :) 

 

No doubt some tired legs around today after all that climbing though!?

It was so rad!

 

I think the first signs of heat also took their toll on most of us having spent the last few months in thermals....

 

A great event. 

 

The only thing I would argue was the merging of the 30km with the 60km on the single track. It caused all sorts of delays/arguments and a few very nasty falls.

 

That kid in the MTN colours has a few apologies to make after taking out a friend of mine extremely rudely, badly and unnecessarily without even a backward glance or a shouted apology.

 

great event nonetheless

Ferro

Sep 5, 2016, 3:58 PM

THAT quarry climb to the top of the last hill on the 65km is still haunting me. Geez. Picked the wrong event to have a go at the full distance - longest walk of my life...

 

The downhill parts were very lekker though. Will be back but might opt for the shorter route.

 

Saw a very unhappy chappy about 12km into the 65. Looked like he hit the deck pretty hard. Hope he is OK.

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