![\"ccs-62657-0-64603000-1500378816.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-64603000-1500378816.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>The elite men, led by Henry Uys, Nico Bell (Team NAD Pro) and Philip Buys (Pyga\/Eurosteel) nearing the last stretch of the Nissan TrailSeeker Gauteng Series Lionman. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\nBuys (Pyga Eurosteel) was challenged for most of the race by South African marathon champion, Nico Bell (Team NAD Pro) and Declan Sidey (Bells Cycling). But Buys\u2019s superior technical ability gave him the edge on the Vodacom mast climb and descent, which saw him claim victory in a time of 02 hours 41 minutes 26 seconds. Bell was second and Sidey third.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were quite a few technical sections that suited me and I knew exactly where to push the advantage. That was on the big climb and the technical downhill. That\u2019s where I got my lead. Then I just had to put my head down for the last flat section to stay away,\u201d said Buys.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn that Mast Climb, which is steep and loose, it\u2019s very important to get the right gearing in order to maintain consistent traction. You don\u2019t want to put a foot down or start walking because it\u2019s difficult to get going again,\u201d explained Buys.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite a challenging route. I think this is the most technical of the Gauteng Nissan TrailSeeker Series routes. The climb was quite rocky to the top. Firstly, you need to have the legs to get up there. And then the downhill, you have to choose good lines to avoid cutting a tyre or crashing. It\u2019s a proper mountain biking challenge,\u201d said Bell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat climb was rocky and super steep. Not a lot of traction. Philip and Nico\u2019s technical skills are really superior. They are world class riders. I was paying for my early efforts up there,\u201d said Sidey, who had lead the race to halfway.<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race, defending champion, Amy Beth McDougall (Valencia) was forced to withdraw with a mechanical, leaving Valencia teammate, Sanders relatively unchallenged to secure the win in a fast time of 3:04:54. Theresa Ralph (Galileo Risk) was second and Christie-Leigh Hearder third.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a really hard race. It\u2019s quite loose and rocky and my tyres were a bit too hard for the terrain, so I struggled on the technical climbs. But the wind killed and those sandy patches just chow your energy. But I\u2019m happy to take the win,\u201d said Sanders.<\/p>\n \u201cThe organisation of the Nissan TrailSeeker Series events is always excellent. You just have to look at the number of people here to see what a quality event it is. They also make it worthwhile for the pros. I am always happy to take part in this series,\u201d added Sanders.<\/p>\n \u201cAmy had a mechanical on the descent, which is the only way I could pass her on a downhill as she\u2019s very skilled. I could see Amy and Sam ahead of me for most of the first half of the race. I hope to try and catch them but when I couldn\u2019t I just focused on my own race,\u201d said runner-up Ralph.<\/p>\n In the half-marathon, Hennie van Wyk was the fastest male and Tanya Kotze the first female.<\/p>\n Women<\/strong> Half-marathon<\/strong> Female<\/strong> For full results in all events, visit www.saseeding.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Sam Sanders reaches the top of Vodacom Mast after overtaking her Valencia teammate Amy Beth McDougall at the Nissan TrailSeeker Gauteng Series Lionman. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Philip Buys (Pyga\/Eurosteel) victoriously wheelies across the finish line as he claims the Nissan TrailSeeker Gauteng Series Lionman Victory. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Sam Sanders (Valencia) arms raised in victory as she crosses the finish line at the Nissan TrailSeeker Gauteng Series Lionman. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n
Marathon<\/strong>
Men<\/strong>
1 Philip Buys (Pyga Eurosteel) 2:41:26
2 Nico Bell (Team NAD Pro) 2:42:41
3 Declan Sidey (Bells Cycling) 2:48:18
4 Henry Uys 2:54:40
5 Alan Gordon 2:54:54
6 Andrew McLean 2:59:24
7 Walter Childes 2:59:59
8 David Cooke 3:00:43
9 Lucky Mlangeni 3:01:20
10 Pierre Smith 3:01:25<\/p>\n
1 Samantha Sanders (Valencia) 3:04:54
2 Theresa Ralph (Galileo Risk) 3:20:01
3 Christie-Leigh Hearder 3:31:59
4 Cincy Porobich 3:32:32
5 Maricel Bekker 3:37:11
6 Heila Meintjes 3:37:57
7 Melanie Roux 3:39:56
8 Carly Kent 3:50:26
9 Mariske McLean 3:52:53
10 Janine Stewart 3:55:19<\/p>\n
Male<\/strong>
1 Hennie van Wyk 1:30:44
2 Wikus Breytenbach 1:30:47
3 Ryan Kellerman 1:31:09<\/p>\n
1 Tanya Kotze 1:49:48
2 Rimari Sutton 1:50:35
3 Monique du Toit 1:53:51<\/p>\n