South Africa’s top mountain bikers will converge on Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West) on Friday, 09 November 2012 for the start of the much anticipated Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati.
Amongst the masses battling for the top spot on the podium will be team RSAweb/CangoMTB’s Renay Groustra and Matthys Beukes. According to Groustra, he could not resist the temptation to enter this year. “It is fantastic to have such a quality race happening pretty much on our doorstep. I can’t think of a better way to end off the season. Both Matthys and I are Cross Country specialists, so the singletrack will most definitely be our strength. We are both also pretty good when it comes to steep and explosive climbing. I think the roughest part will be the 7am start as I am not a morning person. No seriously the toughest part will be remaining consistent over the three days. The quality of field is very high this year and any mistake will be hard to come back from,” says Groustra.
Other men’s teams to watch out for will include Dominic Calitz with Craig Boyes, Adriaan Louw with Louis Bresler Knipe, Christiaan Kriek with Jurgens Uys and Ruan Du Toit with Charles Keey.
In the women’s race Cherise Stander and Mariske Strauss of Team Contego Ladies are favourites at this year’s Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race. According to Stander this will be the first time that she teams up with Strauss at a mountain bike race. “At this point I’m not sure what our team strength will be. Mariske is very talented especially in the technical areas, which is my weak point. I will just try to keep up with her and hopefully learn some new tricks. She is such an inspiration, always happy and smiling. I can see myself enjoying the race with her, while at the same time racing hard. Wines2Whales is such a beautiful event. I just love the scenery and challenges,” says Stander.
Additional women’s teams to watch out for will include defending champions Ischen Stopforth and Catherine Williamson, Hanlie Booyens with Yolande Speedy, Theresa Horn with Hannele Steyn and Lara Woolley with Diana Carolin.
Husband and wife duo Erik and Ariane Kleinhans of Team Contego 28E are hungry for a victory in the mixed team category of the Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race. According to Erik both he and Ariane love Wines2Whales. “The event is close to home, the route is super fun and the organization is fantastic. This will be the first time that we ride together as a Wines2Whales team. We are really looking forward to riding our last race of the year together. We enjoy every part of the event and the Wines2Whales team really thinks of everything, putting in a lot of effort to ensure that all aspects of the event are just perfect for riders. This late in the year it is especially nice for Ariane and I to take part in a shorter, fun race that allows plenty of time to socialize and relax,” says Kleinhans.
Other mixed teams to watch out for will include defending champions Yolande De Villiers with Johan Labuschagne and Theresa Raph with Robert Van Dijk.
A number of South African Celebrities will be seen taking part in the 2012 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati this coming weekend. Amongst them will be rugby legends Corne Krige and Tiaan Strauss, television personality Vanessa Haywood, South African racing driver Gugu Zulu as well as cycling star Robbie Hunter.
Event Information:
Starting in the Wine lands of Somerset West, riders will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
EVENT SUMMARY
STAGE ONE:
Date: Friday, 09 November 2012
Distance: 69km
Start: Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West)
Finish: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
STAGE TWO:
Date: Saturday, 10 November 2012
Distance: 65km
Start: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
Finish: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
STAGE THREE:
Date: Sunday, 11 November 2012
Distance: 75km
Start: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
Finish: Onrus Caravan Park (just outside Hermanus)
Prizes up for grabs compliments of our incredible sponsors will include: 1x KTM Phinx 2.29 mountain bike (Valued at R 25 995), Suunto Ambits, ION AIR PRO action cameras, Maserati vouchers (this includes a track day and lunch with Maserati), Mizuno shoe vouchers, Thule travel product and hampers from ProNutro Active, REHIDRAT® SPORT and First Ascent.
Follow us on Twitter: @w2wmtb
Follow us on Facebook: Contego Wines2Whales
For more information on the Contego Wines2Whales MTB Adventure and Race powered by Maserati e-mail entries@wines2whales.co.za or visit www.wines2whales.co.za
Cherise Stander and team member Karien van Jaarsveld during the 2010 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race. Stander will team up with Mariske Strauss at the 2012 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati (taking place this coming weekend 09 – 11 November 2012). Photo Credit ~ www.oakpics.com
Erik Kleinhans and Dan Hugo at the 2012 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Adventure powered by Maserati that took place this past weekend. Erik will team up with his wife, Ariane
at the 2012 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati (taking place this coming weekend 09 – 11 November 2012). Photo Credit ~ Jetline Action Photo
Renay Groustra during the 2012 Oude Molen Distillery MTB Challenge in Grabouw. Groustra will team up with Matthys Beukes at the 2012 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati (taking place this coming weekend 09 – 11 November 2012). Photo Credit ~ Peter Kirk Media
And do you David George will be there ???
And if so who will ride with him and for what team ?
Just done the Adventure and I know there wil be no testing in this race !