![\"ccs-62657-0-05787600-1495988408.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-05787600-1495988408.jpg\")
<\/a>Waylon Woolcock (left) and HB Kruger of BCX negotiate a technical section en route to winning the final stage and overall title at the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race outside Port Elizabeth today. Photo: Full Stop Communications<\/span><\/p>\nThe BCX duo had a keen tussle with their rivals on the third and final day to emerge victorious by 20 seconds at the Zuurberg Mountain Village, which is perched above the Addo Elephant National Park.<\/p>\n
Riding in the event for the first time, the Western Cape pair finished the 50km stage in 2:11:40 for a combined race time of 8:08:01.<\/p>\n
They were followed home by the Ascendis-LCB outfit of Gert Heyns and Arno du Toit, who finished in 2:12:00 to consolidate their runner-up spot in the overall standings in 8:12:30.<\/p>\n
Defending champion Andrew Hill, who teamed up with Marco Joubert for TIB Insurance-Momsen, finished third on the day in 2:12:16 as well as in the general classification in 8:15:49.<\/p>\n With a four-minute buffer going into the technically challenging final stage, Woolcock said their strategy was based on defence rather than attack.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at the route we were probably at a slight disadvantage today against some of the more technical riders.<\/p>\n \u201cBut something seriously would have to go wrong to lose a four-minute advantage in 50km, so we just tried to make sure that did not happen.\u201d<\/p>\n The top three teams rode together for nearly the whole stage until BCX spotted an opportunity with about a kilometre to go.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t really planned, but we saw Arno taking a bit of strain coming up the last drag to the finish so we just put the hammer down for the stage win,\u201d said Woolcock.<\/p>\n Reflecting on the event, he said they were very happy with their decision to compete.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hospitality and organisation have been top-notch and it is one of the best events I have been to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBesides that, the terrain is amazing, with lots of variety and it can be quite gnarly and rough in some places.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a climber, I enjoyed the fact that the stages finished at the top of a mountain every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Having added the Zuurberg title to the Winelands Encounter they won last month, Woolcock said it was important for them to show their credentials.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day it\u2019s all about giving back to our sponsors and getting as much coverage as we can so this win fits in with our team objectives.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important for us to aim high and doing well gives us and our sponsors great exposure and that\u2019s always an incentive to go for the win.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowing they needed to force the pace for a shot at the overall victory, Heyns and Du Toit said their mindset was to be aggressive from the start.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the BCX guys rode very well defensively and kept getting onto the single-track in front and we couldn\u2019t really get away,\u201d said Du Toit.<\/p>\n \u201cStill, it was an awesome experience with some great trails and we really enjoyed the vibe on and off the bike.\u201d<\/p>\n Hill, who won in 2014 and last year, said he and Joubert also tried to go hard from the start, but always felt it would come down to the final climb.<\/p>\n \u201cWe knew BCX would try to put the hammer down there and that\u2019s what happened. We almost got second, but didn\u2019t quite make it, and that\u2019s how racing goes.\u201d<\/p>\n The mixed title went to Neill Ungerer and Yolande de Villiers of Dryland-Ultimate Cycling, who dominated all three stages for a decisive victory.<\/p>\n Ungerer said the race was memorable, even though the last climb \u201cis always a little killer\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cBut when you have a partner like Yolande you couldn\u2019t ask for better. Everything went well, with awesome trails and a great vibe off the bike.\u201d<\/p>\n De Villiers paid tribute to the organisers for their efforts.<\/p>\n \u201cToday was more like a play day with great single-track and full marks to the organisers.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the trails to the route marking and waterpoints, everything was spot on. This is an event that everyone should do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Gert Heyns pushes the pace on the third and final stage of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race outside Port Elizabeth today. Photo: Shayne Minott<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Mixed section champions Neill Ungerer (front) and Yolande de Villiers of Dryland-Ultimate Cycling in action during the third and final stage of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race outside Port Elizabeth today. Photo: Shayne Minott<\/span><\/p>\n