The first edition of the Western Province Gravity Enduro Championships took place this past Sunday at the scenic Contermanskloof MTB Trails. With the trails still surrounded by green fields and colorful fynbos, the high speed, rough and technical terrain was a welcome change from the previous races. The field of 96 riders faced 4 stages – the 3 usual suspects and a mystery 1.4km long stage on Hillcrest thrown in for good measure. All the elements for a great race were in place – a well marked course, good weather, plenty of riders and of course, free beer afterwards.
Stefan Garlicki – SOLID
Previous WPGE event winners Gary Barnard and Matt Lombardi attended with one thing in mind – going hard and taking the top spot. But it was pro Downhiller Stefan Garlicki that trumped everybody with a total racing time of 12 minutes and 5 seconds. Johan Potgieter came in second overall, closely followed by Gary Barnard, only 5 seconds back. Trail builder, recent father, and all round nice guy Robert Starke used local knowledge to come home in 4th/5th place, sharing the spot with Myles Kelsey.
Gary Barnard – PYGA
The Dairy Shed providing the early morning drugs for sleepy riders.
Shiny new number boards provided by SRAM. And some new timing hardware – hopefully to solve all our timing problems. It wasn’t to be.
Justin Novella unloading the Monster truck.
Kevin from Trail n Tar swinging the wrench and doing some last minute tuneups.
Liaison 1 with Table Mountain keeping an eye on things. #bluesteel
Gary Barnard – 3rd
Martin Zietsman – 7th
Devon Katzen – 12th
Jaco le Roux – 17th
Martin Prest – 28th
Andrew Savage – 15th
Matthieu Hamel on liaison 2.
Taahir Esau starting SS1.
Myles Kelsey – 4th/5th
Matt Lombardi had a minor crash on SS1 and couldn’t recover the time lost. He finished in 6th.
Mark Moir – 22nd
Niko Velasco – 51st
Robin Moore – 29th
Daniel Dobinson – 8th
Rika Olivier – 1st lady
Taahir Esau – 66th
Harley Heningson – 20th
Stefan Garlicki – 2015 WPGE Champion
Julien Louw – 11th
Mark Moir – 22nd
Martin Zietsman – 7th
Craig Rhodes-Harrison – 25th
Matthieu Hamel – 14th
Robert Starke – 4th/5th
Devon Katzen – 12th
Niko Velasco – 51st
Martin Prest – 28th
Gina Nixon – 2nd lady
Karl Prins – 33rd
Stirling Kotze – 55th
Johann Potgieter – 2nd
Duran van Eeden going warp speed past some cactus, looking as if he’s wearing wings… 16th
Loic Delsouiller – 38th
Free beer!!!
https://vimeo.com/142196252
Stage info:
Stage 1 – Contermans – 1.7km, 149m Elevation drop, -9% gradient
Stage 2 – Contermans – 1.4km, 106m Elevation drop, -7% gradient
Stage 3 – Hillcrest – Blind
Stage 4 – Contermans -3.1km, 291m Elevation drop, -9% gradient
The top 10 overall: (with questionable accuracy)
1. Stefan Garlicki 12.05
2. Johann Potgieter 12.25
3. Gary Barnard 12.30
4. Robert Starke 12.31
5. Myles Kelsey 12.31
6. Matthew Lombardi 12.32
7. Martin Zietsman 12.34
8. Daniel Dobinson 12.38
9. Adi Van Der Merwe 12.40
10. Rupert Von Tutschek 12.43
Full results can be found here.
A huge thank you goes out to the long list of sponsors involved with making the day possible and creating the vibe: SRAM, 661, ONE, Five Ten, Pyga, Monster Energy, Trail & Tar and This Way Out. And specifically to Robert Starke for providing us with trails worthy of a proper Enduro.
, but lets say you are: why would he get a DSQ? He is still 'wearing' the lid, if only the loosest sense possible, pun unintended! 
good work.
)
Nice pics as always Ewald
Did Mr Hamel get a DSQ for riding with his helmet like that on the liason?