{"id":13673,"date":"2022-02-27T10:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T10:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2022\/02\/27\/valley-electrical-titan-racing-complete-pe-plett-comeback-r8389\/"},"modified":"2023-03-20T08:52:21","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T06:52:21","slug":"valley-electrical-titan-racing-complete-pe-plett-comeback-r8389","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/valley-electrical-titan-racing-complete-pe-plett-comeback-r8389\/","title":{"rendered":"Valley Electrical Titan Racing Complete PE Plett Comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tHB Kruger and Matthew Keyser completed a dramatic comeback to claim the 2022 M&G Investments PE Plett title on Saturday, 26 February. The Valley Electrical Titan Racing team had lost over 11 minutes on the opening stage, of the four-day stage race, but fought back to secure the leaders\u2019 jerseys after Stage 3. A clean run from Mentors Kraal, in Jeffreys Bay, to Crossways Country Kitchen, outside Gqeberha, confirmed the pair as the winners of the event\u2019s tenth edition. In the women\u2019s race; Witergreen Ciovita\u2019s Elrika Harmzen-Pretorius and Lehane Oosthuizen were prevented by a final stage mechanical from taking a clean sweep of stage honours, but nonetheless rode to a commanding general classification victory.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tThe M&G Investments PE Plett\u2019s point-to-point format allows the race to traverse varying landscapes but also take in the best riding in the regions it passes through. Photo by Zane Schmahl.<\/em><\/p>\n

\tFamed for its exceptionally diverse route the M&G Investments PE Plett traces the East Coast of South Africa, straddling the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces. Each year the race switches direction, with the 2022 edition heading north from Natures Valley, near Plettenberg Bay, to Port Elizabeth\u2019s Crossways Country Kitchen. The 290 kilometre long route takes in deep indigenous forests, manicured plantations, pristine fynbos, emerald green pastures and scintillating singletrack. The best was saved for last this year, with the 3Rivers Trails providing 7 kilometres of downhill fun \u2013 including the brand-new Dam Busters singletrack \u2013 to cap a spectacular four days on the bike.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\tOff the bike, the event\u2019s cash and card free status sees riders being treated to free beers and wine in the chill zones. That headline selling point is tough to top after a long day on the bike, but the choice of upgrading to hotel accommodation or remaining in the standard two-person luxury canvas tent, the event\u2019s sports massage services and delicious meals run the free bar close. For the majority of the M&G Investments PE Plett field those items were the main draw card, but for the elite teams the opportunity to battle for victory was the key attraction.\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tHB Kruger and Matthew Keyser rode initially defensively and then offensively on the final stage of the M&G Investments PE Plett to claim the stage and overall race victory; on Saturday, 26 February. Photo by Flow South Media.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tKruger and Keyser probably did not expect to be in contention for the overall win, given how their race began. The Valley Electrical Titan Racing pair conceded 11 minutes and 30 seconds on Stage 1, to the Insect Science Pro team of Keagan Bontekoning and Alan Gordon. Keyser punctured half way through the opening stage. Though he and Kruger were able to plug the hole, the rear tyre continued to leak air throughout the final 30 kilometres, leaving them unable to match Bontekoning and Gordon.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\tOn Stage 2 the eventual winners rode their way to a stage victory, clawing their way into second on the general classification in the process. The following day, in tricky conditions after an overnight thunder storm, they completed their comeback. Having battled their way into first they were cautiously optimistic going into the final stage.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe had a small gap going into Stage 4, so we just needed to ride a bit defensively today,\u201d Kruger explained. \u201cAs a result, we waited for the first big climb, which came 40 kilometres into the 70 kilometre stage, and laid down the smack there; to see how hard we could go. Luckily, we opened up a sizable gap and from there we could focus on keeping it steady, staying safe and avoiding punctures.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s a great feeling taking our first stage race win for the season,\u201d the Valley Electrical Titan Racing man continued. \u201cIt\u2019s very important for our sponsors. We\u2019re really happy and excited for the rest of the year.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tKeagan Bontekoning and Alan Gordon held the leaders\u2019 jerseys for Stage 2 and 3 but ultimately lost out to the Valley Electrical Titan Racing team. Photo by Flow South Media.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThe run in to the finish was awesome! It was my first time coming down the 3River Trails, along the Ox Wagon, Dam Busters and Purple Cow singletracks,\u201d Kruger smiled. \u201cIt\u2019s really something special. Coming from Paarl I\u2019m used to riding great singletrack, but this was really right up there. So, credit to the organisers and the route team for adding this amazing section right at the end.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIt was super awesome,\u201d Keyser echoed. \u201cThanks to the M&G Investments PE Plett for a great four days. The routes were awesome!\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\tKruger and Keyser\u2019s general classification victory, which included three stage wins, was completed in 11 hours, 32 minutes and 46 seconds. Insect Science Pro were 6 minutes and 48 seconds behind the Valley Electrical Titan Racing team. Bester Performance\/The Bike Shop\u2019s Shaun-Nick Bester and Rogan Smart completed the final podium, 17 minutes further adrift.\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tThe spectacular 3Rivers Trails, including the brand-new Dam Busters singletrack, provided a fitting finale to four great days on the bike. Photo by Flow South Media.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe women\u2019s race at the M&G Investments PE Plett experienced its most dramatic day on the final stage. \u201cWe had a little bit of a hiccup today,\u201d Harmzen-Pretorius recounted, understating the severity of their troubles. \u201cI was super nauseous this morning and couldn\u2019t keep anything in. Then on a climb Lehane\u2019s chainring got super bent and we had to hit it with a rock to straighten it out enough to ride it to the finish.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIt was a long day,\u201d Harmzen-Pretorius puffed. \u201cThere was lots of walking in between today,\u201d Oosthuizen added, clearly not quite ready to laugh about it yet. \u201cMy Garmin tells me we walked for about half and hour, including up the Queen of the Mountain climb.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI was really empty and Lehane pushed me a lot today,\u201d Harmzen-Pretorius confessed. \u201cI\u2019m very grateful to her and thankful of her exceptional teamwork.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tElrika Harmzen-Pretorius and Lehane Oosthuizen overcame a bent chainring on Stage 4 to claim the general classification honours at the 2022 M&G Investments PE Plett. Photo by Flow South Media<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Wintergreen Ciovita team\u2019s struggles on the final day allowed the Young & Brave squad, of Tanja Schutte and Iliska Verwey, to claim the stage win. Yet Harmzen-Pretorius and Oosthuizen had more than enough time in reserve to secure the overall title in a time of 15 hours, 2 minutes and 6 seconds. Schutte and Verwey were second, with TFG-Barrier Breakers\u2019 Jane Fisher and Renata Bossi securing third.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Mixed Category race was closely fought all event, yet Samantha Sanders and Conway Oliver were able to win all four stages. They were joined on the final, general classification, podium by Nicola Freitas and Grant Daly, as well as by Lastminutetraining.com\u2019s Mandi and Wesley Augustyn.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tSamantha Sanders and Conway Oliver wrapped up the Mixed Category title with a perfect four from four stage wins. Photo by Flow South Media.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t2022 M&G Investments PE Plett Results:
\n\tMen\u2019s General Classification after Stage 4:<\/strong>
\n\t1. Valley Electrical Titan Racing: HB Kruger & Matthew Keyser (11:32:46)
\n\t2. Insect Science Pro: Keagan Bontekoning & Alan Gordon (11:39:34)
\n\t3. Bester Performance\/The Bike Shop\u2019s Shaun-Nick Bester & Rogan Smart (11:57:22)\n<\/p>\n

\n\tWomen\u2019s General Classification after Stage 4:<\/strong>
\n\t1. Wintergreen Ciovita: Elrika Harmzen-Pretorius & Lehane Oosthuizen (15:02:06)
\n\t2. Young & Brave: Tanja Schutte & Iliska Verwey (16:17:51)
\n\t3. TFG-Barrier Breakers: Jane Fisher & Renata Bossi (17:13:05)\n<\/p>\n

\n\tMixed Category General Classification after Stage 4:<\/strong>
\n\t1. Pitstop Sport: Samantha Sanders & Conway Oliver (13:17:10)
\n\t2. Granola: Nicola Freitas & Grant Daly (13:35:26)
\n\t3. Lastminutetraining.com: Mandi & Wesley Augustyn (14:12:12)\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\"PEThe M&G Investments PE Plett Men\u2019s Podium (from left to right): Keagan Bontekoning, Alan Gordon, Matthew Keyser, HB Kruger, Shaun-Nick Bester and Rogan Smart. Photo by Zane Schmahl.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

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\n\tThe M&G Investments PE Plett Men\u2019s Podium (from left to right): Tanja Schutte, Iliska Verwey, Lehane Oosthuizen, Elrika Harmzen-Pretorius, Renata Bossi and Jane Fisher. Photo by Zane Schmahl.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

HB Kruger and Matthew Keyser completed a dramatic comeback to claim the 2022 M&G Investments PE Plett title on Saturday, 26 February. The Valley Electrical Titan Racing team had lost over 11 minutes on the opening stage, of the four-day stage race, but fought back to secure the leaders\u2019 jerseys after Stage 3. A clean […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":59544,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[39],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-13673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-pe-plett"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13673"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62162,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13673\/revisions\/62162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13673"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=13673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}