![\"ccs-62657-0-95603400-1492778998.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-95603400-1492778998.jpg\")
<\/a>Waylon Woolcock and HB Kruger (front), riding for BCX, set the pace on the opening day of the Liberty Winelands Encounter, in partnership with STANLIB, from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek today. Photo: Ewald Sadie<\/span><\/p>\nAndrew Hill and Marco Joubert (TIB Insurance-Momsen Valley Light) followed them home in 2:14:52, with Jurgens Uys and Nicol Carstens (Versus Socks) third in 2:16:50.<\/p>\n
Although Woolcock, from Stellenbosch, and Kruger, from nearby Paarl, are riding the race for the first time, they said they were familiar with the area.<\/p>\n
Not even a slight spill by Woolcock could derail their winning effort as they exerted the pressure from the outset and never relinquished their lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spoke about it before the start and knew we had to make an effort on the first climb,\u201d said Woolcock. \u201cI also know that section very well so our plan was always to try to get away there.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the dry conditions made the route tricky at certain sections and they had to keep their concentration throughout the stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I did lose a bit of concentration I had a slight front wheel drift and \u2018bought a small plot\u2019, but no major damage was done,\u201d said Woolcock.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe handlebars were slightly skew, but I managed to straighten them a bit on the fly and then, when we got to a tar section, I took time to loosen a bolt and straighten them properly.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the early climb, Woolcock said Uys and Carstens came back at them, something the third-placed pair repeated after the leaders made a surge on a second ascent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came back at us on the single-track but I know how things turn out because although we were both putting in a big effort, they were riding five per cent harder just to get back to us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were riding tempo and actually saving energy.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce we exited Boschendal on the mountain side towards the Rupert\u2019s L\u2019Ormirans Wine Farm, they held on for a few kilometres before we broke away again and kept the gap until the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Woolcock said Kruger also had a \u201clittle play in the dust\u201d but from then on they rode at an even pace and tried to avoid any serious crashes or mechanicals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe took the single-track steadily because it is so dry that even though you know the trails it\u2019s very unpredictable. You can come around a corner and the trail can crumble underneath you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite their three-minute lead, Woolcock said they would not be thinking too far ahead, particularly given the quality of the opposition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t relax at any stage and our opponents are the types of riders who will be on our heels to make the best of any slip-up. You can never count anything out in mountain biking.\u201d<\/p>\n