![\"ccs-62657-0-71823500-1582380321.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-71823500-1582380321-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>NAD Pro MTB\u2019s Matt Beers rode away with the winner-takes-all R100 000 prize for winning the 2020 Knysna Bull, made personal by Constantia. Photo by Seamus Allardice.<\/span><\/p>\nIn the men\u2019s race Beers was once again in a class of his own. The NAD Pro MTB star spent much of the stage on his own, time trialling through the 52-kilometre stage. Having won all three previous stages, he completed a clean-sweep of Knysna Bull, made personal by Constantia, stages. Beers crossed the line in 1 hour, 56 minutes and 48 seconds; 10 minutes and 45 seconds ahead of Rogan Smart. Justin Tuck crossed the line third.<\/p>\n
Tuck\u2019s efforts over the 4 days earned him second place overall, 34 minutes and 32 seconds down on Beers. Behind him Smart leapfrogged David George to secure the final men\u2019s podium spot. The young rider from Plettenberg Bay is in his first year in the elite category, after stepping up from the Young Bull competition last year.<\/p>\n Terpstra secured the women\u2019s title by rolling across the final finish line alongside Benko. The Ghost Factory Racing pair crossed the line, arm-in-arm. \u201cThe competition was tough at the Knysna Bull, made personal by Constantia\u201d the champion revealed. \u201cIt was great to have four such strong women racing together. We tried to push each other, but also enjoy the trails. I was fortunate to have established a little bit of a lead on the opening two days; so, I was able to race more conservatively on the last two days.\u201d<\/p>\n Terpstra\u2019s general classification margin of victory was 4 minutes and 34 seconds over her teammate. Robyn de Groot, who had started the day in second overall, suffered a fall on the final stage and lost nearly 7 minutes. The dormakaba women slipped to third overall, 9 minutes and 14 seconds behind the Dutch race winner.<\/p>\n In the Young Bull men\u2019s category Tristan Nortje secured a perfect 4 stage wins from the 4 stages. At only 18-years-old the Imbuko Giant is certainly a rider to watch, besting the reigning U23 South African cross-county champion, Henry Liebenberg, by 15 minutes and 26 seconds on the final general classification standings.<\/p>\n Liebenberg still took home R7 500 as a handy consolation prize. Which is a handy boost; considering he was struggling with the after-effects of a stomach bug, when he arrived at the race. dormakaba\u2019s Wessel Redelinghuys was third in the Young Bulls competition, while the Absolute Motion pair, of Brendan van Eerden and Willie van Eck, completed the Under 23 men\u2019s expanded podium places.<\/p>\n The Young Bull women\u2019s race winner, Strydom, was elated by her victory. \u201cComing into the race I knew I was going to be racing against tough little ladies. We might be young but we\u2019re mighty\u201d the Trek rider said. \u201cI was preparing myself for hard race and that\u2019s what it turned out to be. I was also expecting it to be really fun. And the Knysna Bull, made personal by Constantia, delivered on that! The gees here is amazing. You suffer so much, but the trails here are amazing; they make you forget about your legs burning.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>David George (left) and Justin Tuck (second from left) were instrumental in animating the racing behind Matt Beers as they fiercely contested the minor men\u2019s podium places. Photo by Seamus Allardice.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Anne Terpstra (left) and Barbara Benko (right) crossed the finish line together celebrating the Dutch rider\u2019s Knysna Bull, made personal by Constantia, title. Photo by Seamus Allardice.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Tristan Nortje received a finish line high five as he wrapped up the Young Bull title. Photo by Seamus Allardice.<\/span><\/p>\n