{"id":16771,"date":"2017-04-28T17:40:00","date_gmt":"2017-04-28T16:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2017\/04\/28\/philip-buys-and-matthys-beukes-win-2017-joberg2c-r6493\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T06:51:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T06:51:34","slug":"philip-buys-and-matthys-beukes-win-2017-joberg2c-r6493","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/philip-buys-and-matthys-beukes-win-2017-joberg2c-r6493\/","title":{"rendered":"Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes win 2017 joBerg2c"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a day all about South Africa on the Old Mutual joBerg2c\u2019s last official race day. South African MTB stars Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes sailed over the line to win day 8, and claimed the event outright for the recently formed PYGA Euro Steel team. In their first joBerg2c – the race across South Africa that shows you the best of the country’s scenery and heart – Buys and Beukes were dominant from day 4 of the nine-day ride, winning the final five days.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-04111500-1493401132.jpg\"<\/a>South African MTB stars Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes sailed over the line to win day 8 of the Old Mutual joBerg2c, and claimed the event outright for the recently formed PYGA Euro Steel team. In their first joBerg2c – the race across South Africa that shows you the best the country has to offer in terms of scenery and heart – Buys and Beukes were dominant from day 4 of the nine-day ride, winning the final five days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their winning machinery was proudly PYGA, and proudly South African. The team\u2019s day 8 time was 3:32:11, with an overall race time of 29:51:02. Gawie Combrinck and Nico Bell (NAD Pro MTB) finished day 8 in third and finished the event second overall with a total time of 30:11:40.<\/p>\n

In the Lanham-Love Mixed Category Darren and Candice Lill (dormakaba) enjoyed an utterly dominant joBerg2c, and ruled their category from start to finish. They finished day 8 with a time of 3:59:05 and an overall time of 32:16:43. Grant Usher and Amy Beth McDougall (Lanham-Love Valencia) finished seconds after dormakaba on day 8, with a stage time of 4:00:36 and an overall time of 32:40:06.<\/p>\n

The nine-day joBerg2c has slightly tweaked its format for 2017, with the last day of riding – the ninth day – now a neutral stage called the Old Mutual Wealth (Champagne) Stage. That means the winning results are provisional until all riders have completed the final day\u2019s 80km ride from Jolivet to Scottburgh. The provisional winners shouldn\u2019t have too many worries going into the final day, though, as they have around eight hours to complete the short, mostly downhill stage.<\/p>\n

“It’s been another fantastic nine days at the Old Mutual joBerg2c,” said Karen Thomas, Old Mutual Head of Brand. “Every year the race villages get better, providing riders with everything and anything they could desire. The riders have said the route has been incredible too, so it’s no surprise that this event continues to go from strength to strength. As a sponsor, we are thrilled to be involved in an endurance event that not only tests participants, but also shows them the beauty of the South African countryside. Well done to the winners, and well done to every rider that completes this one-of-a-kind mountain biking experience. We look forward to seeing you again in 2018!”<\/p>\n

Proudly South African victory<\/h2>\n

Relieved and clearly elated, Matthys Beukes was happy to finish on top again today and without any major mechanicals over the last eight days.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-68103300-1493402182.jpg\"<\/a>Photo credit: Em Gatland.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToday we made it count. We\u2019ve waited the whole week for this day and if there is one day you can really race it\u2019s this stage. There was some nice big climbing but first we just enjoyed the descent into the Umkomaas Valley and then we just hit that climb and pulled the gap from there and rode steadily,\u201d said Beukes.<\/p>\n

He added that the unique aspect of crossing so much of the country during the joBerg2c was a definite event highlight. \u201cMy favourite aspect has definitely been the journey. First of all we came here to enjoy the ride and just experience something different and not just focus on super intense racing. I think we definitely got that out of joBerg2c; there is also some good prize money for first place and that\u2019s really nice too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Philip Buys explained that the win was a bonus on top of an incredible experience. \u201cI think the whole track down here is just great. What\u2019s nice about joBerg2c is that you see parts of the country that you don\u2019t usually see. Being on a bike we took some time to see everything that there is to see on the route. I think it\u2019s a cool race to see and experience our country and its hospitality. It was a fun experience for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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