![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.1019a24c8d649e7a60ac674fc252aac7-1.jpeg\")
\n\tThe 2022 36ONE MTB Challenge started and finished at Kleinplaas Resort, in Outshoorn, on the 13th and 14th of May. Photo by Shift Media Co.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThe long-distance race started under clear skies on Friday afternoon, at 15:00. This allowed riders to see more of the route before the sun set. As well as getting further towards the first check point, at Louvain, it also set the scene for visually dramatic racing. Freddie Visser duly obliged, seizing the opportunity to launch a long-range attack.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tAt just 21 years of age, Visser was one of the youngest riders in the front group of 25. Unphased by the number of kilometres left to race, with only 40-kilometres covered, he upped the tempo and rapidly established a 50 second advantage over the elite selection. After the first water point, at the 54-kilometre mark, the 2021 third-place finisher accelerated to close the gap to Visser.\n<\/p>\n
\n\t \n\tOnce Coetzee had joined forces with Visser it was clear that it would take an almighty effort to bring the break back. Meanwhile, the only woman who had made the front selection, Yolande de Villiers, worked to continually extend her advantage over the chaser, Alma Colyn and Bianca Cooper. Despite the near-perfect conditions, De Villiers never appeared in contention to challenge the course record. Coetzee however, was on course to break the record from early on.\n<\/p>\n \n\t \n\tHe ensured the pace remained high throughout. When Visser started to fade, 100 kilometres into the race, the RDX Powerbar relay team came to the fore. After David Garrett\u2019s opening leg, Johan Trotzky dragged the team back to within touching distance of Coetzee. Theuns van der Bank summited Rooiberg Pass, just behind the solo men\u2019s leader. The team\u2019s final rider Andreas Studer rode the last 80 kilometres, from Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn, with Coetzee; but was unable to help.<\/p>\n \t \n\t\u201cFrom about 15 kilometres out I knew I was inside the record\u201d Coetzee revealed. \u201cBut I wanted to empty the tank. Last year I came close, but made a mistake in the last 100 metres which put me out of contention in the sprint with Konny [Looser] and Christiaan [Janse Van Rensburg]. I knew from last year that I could break the record and conditions were perfect for it today. We only had a short section of head wind, approaching Checkpoint 1 at Louvain. It was a nearly perfect ride.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\t \tCoetzee\u2019s winning time was 13 hours, 17 minutes and 50 seconds; breaking the course record Looser had set, of 13 hours, 26 minutes and 14 seconds. De Villiers\u2019 winning solo women\u2019s time was 16 hours, 18 minutes and 10 seconds, which was an hour slower than her 2021 record setting time. The men\u2019s winner was joined on the podium by Dusty Day and Freddie Visser, after Day had surged passed a fading Visser in the final 20 kilometres. Colyn and Cooper completed the women\u2019s podium.\n<\/p>\n \n\t \n\tThe 180-kilometre half distance race, started at The 36ONE MTB Challenge\u2019s second Checkpoint, at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm. The route took riders over the Rooiberg Pass, into Calitzdorp and along the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains back to Outshoorn.<\/p>\n \t \tCP van Wyk, Lloyd Priestman and Regis Maniora raced the event on gravel bikes, all shattering the record. Insect Science\u2019s Van Wyk was the first across the line, setting a new record of 6 hours, 55 minutes and 58 seconds. Maureen Jordaan was the 180 women\u2019s race winner. Along with the winners Fjord Jordaan deserved a special mention as he completed his tenth 36ONE MTB Challenge.\n<\/p>\n \n\t \n\t2022 36ONE MTB Challenge Results: \n\t36ONE Solo Women<\/strong> \n\t36ONE Relay Teams<\/strong> \n\t36ONE Men\u2019s Teams<\/strong> \n\t36ONE Women\u2019s Teams<\/strong> \n\tHalf Solo Men<\/strong> \n\tHalf Solo Women<\/strong>![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.715547516603bd3466908724997e8325-1.jpeg\")
\n\tFreddie Visser drove the pace in the opening kilometres, which helped enable Drikus Coetzee to break the record. Photo by Shift Media Co.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.cde1f1cbd8cf52e79035d3c75c47de1c-1.jpeg\")
\n\tDrikus Coetzee found allegiances in the relay team riders at various stages in the race, as the RDX Powerbar JD Elliott Cycle and Cycle4Diabetes teams switched out for fresh riders every 80 to 100 kilometres. Photo by Shift Media Co.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.99a41e6b055ad7f9d8b460e2be171dda-1.jpeg\")
\n\tThe spectacular Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, as well as the smaller ranges within the Klein Karoo basin, ensure a spectacular backdrop for the race. Photo by Shift Media Co.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.8e4f051146ea88ebac8d493b5e89452a-1.jpeg\")
\n\tDrikus Coetzee broke Konny Looser\u2019s course record by 8 minutes and 24 second, setting a new mark of 13 hours, 17 minutes and 50 seconds. Photo by Carli Munro.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.defd163b717131b17e057332ae866c6d-1.jpeg\")
\n\tYolande de Villiers rode to a dominant victory, though her own course record eluded her. Photo by Shift Media Co.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.c96071f8813717eeb359fd61497c9078-1.jpeg\")
\n\tThe 15:00 start on Friday afternoon means that every rider cycles through the depths of the dark Karoo Night. Photo by Shift Media Co.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"image.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image.ae91f58a96108dab2d5d4fc247cde6b4-1.jpeg\")
\n\tThe rolling roads of the Klein Karoo provided a challenging course, including 5 000-metres of climbing in the 361-kilometre distance. Photo by Shift Media Co.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n
\n\t36ONE Solo Men<\/strong>
\n\t1. Drikus Coetzee (13:17:50)
\n\t2. Dusty Day (14:29:00)
\n\t3. Freddie Visser (14:31:51)\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. Yolande de Villiers (16:18:10)
\n\t2. Alma Colyn (18:41:08)
\n\t3. Bianca Cooper (19:03:21)\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. RDX Powerbar: David Garret, Johann Trotzky, Theuns van Bank & Andreas Studer (13:17:51)
\n\t2. JD Elliot Cycle: Daniel Steenkamp, Walter Taylor, Andrew Elliott & Kenneth Elliott (13:54:55)
\n\t3. Cycle4Diabetes: Louis Visser, Marchal Hendriks, Grant Lindeque & Pierre Terblanche (14:45:28)\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. EnduroPlanet Racing: Charl Coetsee & Ockert Struwig (15:48:23)
\n\t2. Wellington Wines: Robin Harris & Garth Ennion (16:12:46)
\n\t3. Kirmack 2: Hanro Geldenhuys & Neville Menezes (19:30:58)\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. Yong & Brave: Tanja Schutte & Iliska Verweg (22:39:50)
\n\t2. Kakiebos 2: Jolene de Bruyn & Riaan Robbeson (23:01:58)
\n\t3. Raffa Angels: Tamsyn Muller & Veredith Dijk (23:55:40)\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. \u00a0Warick Minkley (7:03:26)
\n\t2. Eugene du Plessis (8:01:20)
\n\t3. Raymond Odendaal (8:04:59)\n<\/p>\n
\n\t1. Maureen Jordaan (9:00:37)
\n\t2. Angelique Nel (9:44:56)
\n\t3. Elzaan van Blerk (10:09:42)\n<\/p>\n