Fun day out at Stage Two of FNB W2W MTB Ride

Stage Two of the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Ride started and finished at Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin) on Tuesday, 05 November 2013.

Starting and finishing at the Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin) on Tuesday, 05 November 2013 Stage Two of the FNB W2W MTB Ride saw riders having to complete a 68km route that featured a 1350m elevation gain. Seen here: Riders in action on the day. PHOTO CREDIT ~ Cherie Vale / NEWSPORT MEDIA

The stage started on a high with eager riders looking forward to experiencing the much talked about and newly constructed bridges that form part of the Amphi Bike Park at Paul Cluver. Riders needed to complete a 68km route that featured a 1350m elevation gain.

According to Hendrico Burger, FNB Wines2Whales MTB Director, Stage Two was a fun stage. “Thanks to the recent rain and the FNB W2W Adventure that took place last weekend the route is properly rode in. The lead riders in the men’s field set a fast pace. When Gerhard Dirks heard that there was a R5000 prize for the first team that passes water point two, he put down the hammer and destroyed the rest of the field,” laughs Burger.

PHOTO CREDIT ~ Cherie Vale / NEWSPORT MEDIA

“Gerard Dirks and Frikkie Hartog already had a 2 minute lead by the time they reached the 16km mark. Going into stage three on Wednesday, riders are in for a treat. The majority of FNB W2W MTB finishers claim that stage three is their favorite stage. It’s another destination stage, so riders start at Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin) and finish at Onrus Caravan Park. Riders can look forward to experiencing a nice variety of terrain, technical sections, climbs and an awesome view. And then of course everyone loves the PERI bridge over the Onrus River”.

Stage two of the FNB W2W MTB Ride saw Gerard Dirks and Frikkie Hartog of Team Knersus claim gold in the men’s field with a fast paced finishing time of 03 hours 22 minutes 01 second. Adriaan Theron and Gawie Van Der Schyf of Team SSM came in second, while Pieter Uys and Ryal De Waal of Team IQ Green Solutions finished third.

Sandra and Graham Ransom of Team ISUZU 2 pulled no punches on the day, crossing the finish line first in the mixed team category in 03 hours 46 minutes 35 seconds. Anneke Poll and Sebastiaan Klaassen of Team Vuurberg came in second, while Franci Joubert and Chris Nel of Team These Island Destination Hares finished third.

Stage two of the FNB W2W MTB Ride on Tuesday, 05 November 2013 saw Gerard Dirks and Frikkie Hartog of Team Knersus claim gold in the men’s field with a fast paced finishing time of 03hours22minutes01second. Seen here: Gerard Dirks in action on the day. PHOTO CREDIT ~ Cherie Vale / NEWSPORT MEDIA

In the women’s race Caroline Schuermans and Janet Keet of team NH The Lord Charles led from the start crossing the finish line first in a time of 03 hours 51 minutes 41 seconds. Vicki Mohr and Nadia Malan of Team CSM Consulting Services came in second, while Auralia Edwards and Lee Ziervogel of Team Derailed finished third.

Teams in the lead going into stage three:

MEN: Frikkie Hartog and Gerard Dirks of Team Knersus are currently in the lead, Ryal De Waal and Pieter Uys of Team IQ Green Solutions are in second, while Mark Midgley and Thinus Meyer of team Crank Addicts are in third place.

MIXED: Sandra and Graham Ransom of Team ISUZU 2 have a solid lead, followed by Charel Uys and Nadia Visser of Team J10 in second, while Anneke Poll and Sebastiaan Klaassen of Team Vuurberg are currently in third place.

WOMEN: Caroline Schuermans and Janet Keet of team NH The Lord Charles lead the women’s field, followed by Auralia Edwards and Lee Ziervogel of Team Derailed in second, while Vicki Mohr and Nadia Malan of team CSM Consulting Services are currently in third place.

NEXT UP: Stage Three / Wednesday, 06 November 2013

77km / 1450m Elevation Gain

The Official Food Supplier of the FNB W2W MTB events, Food Lover’s Market is known for placing great emphasis on value, quality and an exceptional retail experience. At the FNB W2W MTB events Food Lover’s Market will be meeting all the essential food requirements of the riders over the three day period both on route and in the race village.

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