![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.b446e3340fcb47f997b022e8486cad7d-2.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
William Mokgopo rode to a dominant victory at the 2022 Glacier Cradle Traverse, claiming stage wins on each of the three days in the process. Photo by Justin Reinecke for ZCMC.co.za.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\tWilliam Mokgopo restarted his racing schedule with victory in the 2022 Glacier Cradle Traverse, from the 31st of September to the 2nd of October. Held in the Cradle of Humankind, from a race village at Avianto, it is a relaxed event. With short, punchy, routes \u2013 measuring no more than 42 kilometres in length \u2013 the Glacier Cradle Traverse is the perfect stage race for newcomers to the sport and those looking to indulge in the more social side of mountain biking.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThe racing began with a 42 kilometre stage into the Cradle Moon conservancy. On a day dominated by big game sightings, giraffe stole the show. Stage 2 took riders into the exclusive Portion 58, a section of land that few mountain bikers ever get to experience. The final stage, like the one which preceded it, was only 39 kilometres long. It featured the best riding of the event, packing over 20 kilometres of singletrack into the stage; including the King\u2019s Kloof blue route.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\t \n\t\u201cI must say the last three days have been amazing,\u201d Mokgopo grinned after wrapping up his third successive stage victory and the overall title. \u201cI think this stage race is one of a kind and I hope the organisers keep it exactly like it is! This is something I think a lot of people would love to take part in. We had so much singletrack, so much climbing\u2026 and then the atmosphere\u2026 that\u2019s the great thing about stage races. And the Glacier Cradle Traverse gets it right. Everyone is so chilled, having fun after the stages. That\u2019s what I\u2019m enjoying more and more about stage races now, to appreciate the fun of it.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tMokgopo\u2019s winning time was 5 hours, 17 minutes and 57 seconds. Stefano Madies was second in the solo men\u2019s race, with Kyle Robertson completing the category podium. Raine Fouche was the only woman in the solo women\u2019s competition and rode to an uncontested victory.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tIn the team\u2019s race Yolande de Villiers and Stephanie Wohlters were commanding victors. The top women\u2019s team were also the top team in the race, notching up a general classification time second only to Mokgopo. Their final accumulated time was 5 hours, 42 minutes and 17 seconds. The Madmacs\/Coopetto\/Bester Performance team\u2019s nearest rivals were Denni Cartwright and Anneke van der Walt. Aletti Lowe and Ulande Viljoen rounded out the women\u2019s team category podium.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\t \n\t\u201cIt was a magnificent stage race\u201d Wohlters smiled. \u201cThis is my back yard; but still, every day, the trails included bits that I had never ridden before. I just loved every second of it, the weather was amazing, the people were amazing, and ja the racing, with Yolande [de Villiers], was amazing too.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe men\u2019s team race was won by the Efficient Wealth combination of Loutjie Smit and Stoffel Echley. Helena Tarantino and Jacques Human, of Team P\u2026F, won the mixed category competition. To recap on all the action from the 2022 Glacier Cradle Traverse mountain biking fans can follow the race on Instagram, at @cradletraverse, or on Facebook, at Glacier Cradle Traverse. For more information visit www.cradletraverse.co.za.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tGlacier Cradle Traverse General Classification after Stage 3: \n\tWomen\u2019s Teams:\u00a0<\/strong> \n\tMixed Teams:\u00a0<\/strong> \n\tSolo Women:<\/strong>![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.54f890c08a8be1e695e80867f0f2d3a7-2.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
The giraffe of Cradle Moon provided thrilling close encounters for the riders on Stage 1 of the race. Photo by Sage Lee Voges for ZCMC.co.za.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.c4d428ada97673bbe322ac67acd952b6-2.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
Stephanie Wohlters bested all the men\u2019s and mixed teams on her ride to victory, alongside Yolande de Villiers, in the women\u2019s team race. Photo by Justin Reinecke for ZCMC.co.za.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n\tMen\u2019s Teams:<\/strong>
\n\t1. Efficient Wealth: Loutjie Smit & Stoffel Echley (7:25:35)
\n\t2. Echo International: Karel Jacobs & Jacques Rautenbach (7:26:48 | +1:13)
\n\t3. Epic Reunion: Juan Enslin & Chris Kroeger (8:39:44 | +1:14:09)\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. Madmacs\/Coopetto\/Bester Performance: Yolande de Villiers & Stephanie Wohlters (5:42:17)
\n\t2. Team WR-Echo: Denni Cartwright & Anneke van der Walt (6:48:29 | +1:06:12)
\n\t3. Brolloks en Bittergal: Aletti Lowe & Ulande Viljoen (8:15:54 | +2:33:37)\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. Team P\u2026F: Helena Tarantino & Jacques Human (6:56:30)
\n\t2. Skyfall: Wynand & Natasha van der Berg (7:27:31 | +31:01)
\n\t3. Lifecycle: Gobona Mantle & Warren Rigeford (8:21:20| +1:24:50)\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. Raine Fouche (9:53:35)\n<\/p>\n