Stage Two of the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Adventure was met with much excitement on Saturday, 31 October 2015.
Michael Pretorius of Team Kia Namibia in action on the day. Photo Credit: Volume Photography
Starting and finishing at the picturesque Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw), Stage Two has affectionately been dubbed ‘Play Day’. A single track haven, the route included the exhilarating Paul Cluver Bike Park and single tracks as well as the Kromco Play Park.
Martin Freyer and Michael Pretorius of Team Kia Namibia secured yet another stage victory in an impressive time of 03 hours 14 minutes 54 seconds. “Originally our only strategy was to enjoy the route, but last night we decided that our goal today would be to reach the single track first,” said Pretorius. “This enabled us to enjoy our speed and have more fun. W2W definitely features the best single track and amazing scenery. The vibe is really great. When you cross the finish line you can’t help but smile. Although we’ll want to be in front of the bunch tomorrow, we will be riding to enjoy the route.” Anton Koller and Gregor Krall of Team Rehidrat 2 came in second, while Robert Cragg and Ray Thorpe of Team Craft Racing finished third.
Theresa Ralph and Hamish Knowles of Team Galileo Risk claimed gold in the mixed team category in a deserving time of 03 hours 33 minutes 18 seconds. According to Ralph, Stage Two was lovely. “Today was just beautiful. The Paul Cluver Bike Park was a lot of fun and safe at all times. It’s great that the middle stage is a bit shorter, so we won’t be too tired going into Stage Three. Hamish and I seem to have found our grove. Tomorrow we’ll just carry on, ride within our zone and see how it goes.” Karin Van Niekerk and Mark Mahoney of Team Cycology came in second, while Robert Kitching and Collette Bastard of Team Recycles Racing finished third.
Lolita and Simone Van Aardt of Team Tailormade Properties/Craft Racing continued their winning streak, crossing the finish line first in a time of 03 hours 54 minutes 37 seconds. “Today was really nice. The stage wasn’t as tough as Stage One. I really enjoyed the flowing single track,” said Simone. Phelia Burger and Erica Green of Team Reeds/Wines2Whales came in second, while Michelle Van Aswegen and Emma Pienaar of Team Crackerjacks finished third.
FNB Wines2Whales MTB Adventure
Saturday, 31 October 2015
Top 5 Results / Stage Two:
Men 1 Martin Freyer and Michael Pretorius / Team Kia Namibia 03:14:54, 2 Anton Koller and Gregor Krall / Team Rehidrat 2 03:16:31, 3 Robert Cragg and Ray Thorpe / Craft Racing 03:19:37, 4 Franclo Henning and Charl Cooper / Billy and Villi 03:19:54, 5 Michael Falk and Norbert Meyer / Team EPT W.Meyer Optometrists Windhoek 03:24:32
Women 1 Lolita Van Aardt and Simone Rhoda Van Aardt/ Tailormade Properties Craft Racing 03:54:37, 2 Phelia Burger and Erica Green / Reeds Wines2Whales 04:05:04, 3 Michelle Van Aswegen and Emma Pienaar / Team Crackerjacks 04:07:36, 4 Louise Bezuidenhout and Colene Steyn / Provincial Logistics 04:19:10, 5 Kim De Villiers and Louise Blatch / TT 04:23:19
Mixed 1 Theresa Ralph and Hamish Knowles / Galileo Risk 03:33:18, 2 Karin Van Niekerk and Mark Mahoney / Cycology 03:45:39, 3 Robert Kitching and Collette Bastard / Recycles Racing 03:47:53, 4 Jampie Vlok and Zelda Van Wijk / Rola Toyota 03:53:35, 5 Dani Raess and Simone Raess / Danis Bike Team 03:55:34
Top 5 Results / GC: Stage One and Two combined:
Men 1 Martin Fryer and Michael Pretorius / Team Kia Namibia 07:21:25, 2 Anton Koller and Gregor Krall / Team Rehidrat 2 07:27:44, 3 Franclo Henning and Charl Cooper / Billy and Villi 07:40:26, 4 Jeffrey Sullivan and Deon Van Vuuren / Far Canal 07:45:31, 5 Carel Bosman and Ignus Oosthuizen / Team Craft 07:46:35
Women 1 Lolita Van Aardt and Simone Rhoda Van Aardt / Tailormade Properties Craft Racing 08:51:23, 2 Michelle Van Aswegen and Emma Pienaar / Team Crackerjacks 09:34:54, 3 Phelia Burger and Erica Green / Reeds Wines2Whales 09:41:46, 4 Louise Bezuidenhout and Colene Steyn / Provincial Logistics 09:52:31, 5 Kim De Villiers and Louise Blatch / TT 09:58:55
Mixed 1 Theresa Ralph and Hamish Knowles / Galileo Risk 08:08:37, 2 Karin Van Niekerk and Mark Mahoney / Cycology 08:45:47, 3 Robert Kitching and Collette Bastard / Recycles Racing 08:48:21, 4 Jampie Vlok and Zelda Van Wijk / Rola Toyota 08:53:07, 5 Gerhard Van Niekerk and Amy Burton / Junglenow 09:05:35
