{"id":16182,"date":"2018-02-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-10T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2018\/02\/10\/spur-specialized-strike-and-dormakaba-extend-on-stage-two-of-tankwa-trek-r7101\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T06:10:42","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T06:10:42","slug":"spur-specialized-strike-and-dormakaba-extend-on-stage-two-of-tankwa-trek-r7101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/spur-specialized-strike-and-dormakaba-extend-on-stage-two-of-tankwa-trek-r7101\/","title":{"rendered":"Spur Specialized strike and dormakaba extend on Stage Two of Tankwa Trek"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Queen Stage of the Momentum Health Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, saw dormakaba extend their general classification lead while Spur Specialized struck on the Mautivator descent &#8211; which is named after the stage director Mauritz &#8216;Mauti&#8217; Walters. The day was drama filled throughout; with crashes, injuries and mechanicals all shaping the stage outcome.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"w-full aspect-video\">\n<div><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"200\" height=\"113\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UCH4JvTpAQM?feature=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The 87 kilometre long second stage featured 2 200 meters of climbing. The short, 15 kilometre, run-in to the day\u2019s first significant obstacle \u2013 the DUTOIT Drop, a 3 kilometre singletrack descent which drops from the Koue Bokkeveld plateau to the Ceres Valley \u2013 ensured that both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s races got off to fast starts. Cannondale Factory Racing\u2019s Manuel Fumic was the first victim of the day, as he decided to withdraw in the first 5 kilometres with an injured back. The women\u2019s race was then marred by a horror crash by Esther S\u00fcss. The defending champion hit a rut in the road as the leading women approached the DUTOIT Drop and crashed at high speed. The quick reactions of her Swiss compatriot, Ariane L\u00fcthi, saw the medical team alerted and the Meerendal CBC rider was taken to hospital for stitches. Fortunately, the doctor\u2019s report is positive and despite the apparent initial severity of her wound S\u00fcss should be back on the bike within a week.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-54169000-1518278253.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1153071\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1153071\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-54169000-1518278253.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-54169000-1518278253.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Simon Andreassen (left) and Alan Hatherly (right) claimed stage honours on the Queen Stage of the Momentum Health Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen. Photo by Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The men\u2019s race settled into a rhythm as the riders made their way along the northern reaches of the Ceres Valley. The pace remained relatively high throughout this phase of the race, but not so high as to prevent first Maxime Marotte (broken rear derailleur) and then Alban Lakata (puncture) from chasing back to the front group. Despite PYGA Euro Steel ratcheting up the pace on the old wagon trail climb from the Ceres Valley back into the Koue Bokkeveld a massive leading group of 20 riders started the Merino Monster climb together.<\/p>\n<p>Nicola Rohrbach and Daniel Geismayr, of Centurion Vaude by Goldwurst Power, proved to be the team with the best climbing legs and the Swiss\/Austrian combination soon shattered the group. In the devastation yellow jersey wearers Alban Lakata and Kristian Hynek, of Canyon Topeak, were able to ride the climb tactically. \u201cNicola (Rohrbach) and Daniel (Geismayr) were seven or so minutes behind on general classification so they were no threat to our lead\u201d Lakata explained. \u201cWe followed PYGA (Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes), as they were our closest rivals in the lead group\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Rohrbach and Geismayr were the first team over the summit, in so doing claiming the King of the Mountain hot spot prize. They were followed by Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes, of PYGA Euro Steel and the race leaders, Lakata and Hynek. The fourth team to the top of the Merino Monster was the Spur Specialized team of Alan Hatherly and Simon Andreassen.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-65119700-1518278257.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1153072\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1153072\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-65119700-1518278257.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-65119700-1518278257.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Nicola Rohrbach and Daniel Geismayr, of Centurion Vaude by Goldwurst Power, set themselves up for stage victory by summiting the Merino Monster first. But two punctures put pay to those hopes. Photo by Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The young pair had proved to be in good form on Stage One; but a crash, which broke Andreassen\u2019s brake lever, put pay to any chances of stage victory. Descending from the highest point in the race, at 1 600 meters above sea level, Hatherly and Andreassen rode the Mautivator without the previous day\u2019s misfortune weighing on their minds. By the time they reached the bottom of the mountain they were leading the stage, having overtaken Canyon Topeak, PYGA Euro Steel and Centurion Vaude by Goldwurst Power \u2013 who had punctured near the bottom of the descent.<\/p>\n<p>Rohrbach and Geismayr\u2019s puncture induced misfortune was not over yet. After receiving a C02 canister from Markus Bauer, which helped them fix the initial issue, the pair suffered a second puncture in the final kilometres. The resultant flat destroyed Geismayr\u2019s rear wheel and the pair finished the stage on foot.<\/p>\n<p>Hatherly and Andreassen meanwhile time trialled to the finish maintaining their lead over their pursuers. Even a herd of cattle, which ran into their path in the final kilometres and forced them to stop, could not prevent them from claiming stage honours.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-49574100-1518278271.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1153074\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1153074\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-49574100-1518278271.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-49574100-1518278271.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">Alan Hatherly (left) and Simon Andreassen (right) were forced to a complete stop by a herd of cattle running across the route. Photo by Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had planned to attack on the descent\u201d Hatherly confessed. \u201cSimon (Andreassen) had a bad patch on the climb and we reached the summit in fourth place. So we had to take a few risks to catch the other teams\u201d the South African cross-country champion recounted.<\/p>\n<p>The stage victory for Spur Specialized moves them up to fourth place overall, four minutes and forty seconds behind the race leaders, Canyon Topeak. Despite only finishing fifth on the stage Cannondale Factory Racing 2\u2019s Marotte and Marcel Guerrini moved into second on the general classification standings, while PYGA Euro Steel moved up from fourth to third overall; following their fourth place stage finish.<\/p>\n<p>Once the women had navigated the DUTOIT Drop the pattern of the opening stage was repeated with dormakaba\u2019s Candice Lill and Helen Grobert doing much of the pace making duties. The pair were especially keen to take the lead on the descents. \u201cIt\u2019s cool to see how fast you can go when you\u2019re just riding and having fun\u201d Grobert said post-stage. \u201cI\u2019m really enjoying the Tankwa Trek and racing with Candice (Lill)\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-96037600-1518278264.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1153073\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1153073\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-96037600-1518278264.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-96037600-1518278264.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">The leading women, including Yolande de Villiers, Sabine Spitz and Robyn de Groot make their way down the DUTOIT Drop, which was ravaged by a fire on the Tuesday before the race. Photo by Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Despite a puncture for Sabine Spitz, of Ascendis Health she and Robyn de Groot, joined the other leading women\u2019s teams in a formidable group which contained dormakaba, Silverback Volvo OMX and Team joBerg2c, at the base of the Merino Monster. Spitz and De Groot then made their move, which only Lill and Grobert were able to follow. The Ascendis Health women claimed the Queen of the Mountain prize but the dormakaba women were once again willing to take more risks on the descent and raced to a 2 minute lead on the 10 kilometre long descent.<\/p>\n<p>The pair then time trialled to the finish, extending their lead to 2 minutes and 51 seconds. \u201cThose final 12 kilometres from the bottom of the descent were really tough, but fortunately there was a tail wind\u201d Lill smiled.<\/p>\n<p>Lill and Grobert were joined on the stage and women\u2019s general classification podium by Ascendis Health\u2019s De Groot and Spitz, and Silverback Volvo OMX\u2019s Yolande de Villiers and Mariske Strauss.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday\u2019s final stage of the Momentum Health Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, could still see signification general classification changes; especially as mechanicals, injuries and crashes have punctuated much of the race thus far. Fortunately for fans of mountain biking they will be able to watch the action unfold live; as the race will be broadcast to the event\u2019s Facebook page and website, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tankwatrek.co.za\" rel=\"external nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.tankwatrek.co.za<\/a>, from 07h15.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bg-slate-100 p-5\">\n<strong>Results: Momentum Health Tankwa Trek, Presented by Biogen<\/strong><br \/><strong>Stage 2 Men\u2019s<\/strong><br \/>1. Spur Specialized, Alan Hatherly &amp; Simon Andreassen (3:41:29)<br \/>2. Canyon Topeak, Alban Lakata &amp; Kristian Hynek (3:42:05 | +00:36)<br \/>3. NAD Pro MTB, Nico Bell &amp; Matt Beers (3:43:21 | +01:52)<br \/>4. PYGA Euro Steel, Philip Buys &amp; Matthys Beukes (3:43:22 | +01:53)<br \/>5. Cannondale 2, Maxime Marotte &amp; Marcel Guerrini (3:44:23 | +02:54)<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-82745500-1518278276.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1153075\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1153075\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-82745500-1518278276.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-82745500-1518278276.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">The men&#8217;s general classification podium, after Stage 2. From left to right: Matthys Beukes, Philip Buys, Alban Lakata, Kristian Hynek, Marcel Guerrini and Maxime Marotte. Photo by Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Men\u2019s General Classification after Stage 2<\/strong><br \/>1. Canyon Topeak, Alban Lakata &amp; Kristian Hynek (6:57:00)<br \/>2. Cannondale 2, Maxime Marotte &amp; Marcel Guerrini (6:59:24 | +02:24)<br \/>3. PYGA Euro Steel, Philip Buys &amp; Matthys Beukes (7:00:41 | +03:41)<br \/>4. Spur Specialized, Alan Hatherly &amp; Simon Andreassen (7:01:41 | +04:41)<br \/>5. NAD Pro MTB, Nico Bell &amp; Matt Beers (7:02:29 | +05:29)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stage 2 Women\u2019s<\/strong><br \/>1. dormakaba, Candice Lill &amp; Helen Grobert (4:20:17)<br \/>2. Ascendis Health, Robyn de Groot &amp; Sabine Spitz (4:23:08 | +02:51)<br \/>3. Silverback Volvo OMX, Yolande de Villiers &amp; Mariske Strauss (4:26:28 | +06:11)<br \/>4. Team joBerg2c, Amy McDogall &amp; Bianca Haw (4:31:14 | +10:57)<br \/>5. dormakaba 2, Samantha Sanders &amp; Carmen Buchacher ( 4:44:30 | +24:13)<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-16092400-1518278300.jpg\" data-fileid=\"1153076\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"1153076\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"ccs-62657-0-16092400-1518278300.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-16092400-1518278300.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><span class=\"italic text-sm text-slate-500 block mt-1 mb-4\">The women&#8217;s general classification podium, after Stage 2. From left to right: Sabine Spitz, Robyn de Groot, Helen Grobert, Candice Lill, Yolande de Villiers and Mariske Strauss. Photo by Zoon Cronje.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Women\u2019s General Classification after Stage 2<\/strong><br \/>1. dormakaba, Candice Lill &amp; Helen Grobert (8:09:35)<br \/>2. Ascendis Health, Robyn de Groot &amp; Sabine Spitz (8:13:51 | +04:16)<br \/>3. Silverback Volvo OMX, Yolande de Villiers &amp; Mariske Strauss (8:26:12 | +16:37)<br \/>4. Team joBerg2c, Amy McDogall &amp; Bianca Haw (8:30:05 | +20:30)<br \/>5. dormakaba 2, Samantha Sanders &amp; Carmen Buchacher (8:53:53 | +44:18)<\/p>\n<p>For the full results and more information please visit: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tankwatrek.co.za\" rel=\"external nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.tankwatrek.co.za<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Queen Stage of the Momentum Health Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, saw dormakaba extend their general classification lead while Spur Specialized struck on the Mautivator descent &#8211; which is named after the stage director Mauritz &#8216;Mauti&#8217; Walters. The day was drama filled throughout; with crashes, injuries and mechanicals all shaping the stage outcome. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":32438,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[94],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-16182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-tankwa-trek"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16182","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=16182"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16182\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16182"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=16182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}