![\"ccs-62657-0-58836800-1486479145.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-58836800-1486479145.jpeg\")
<\/a>Travis Walker (right) and Pieter Seyffert, of Ellsworth-ASG, en route to winning the 81km third stage of the TransCape mountain bike race between Van Wyksdorp and Riversdal. The seven-day, 690km event between Knysna and Franschhoek finishes on Saturday. Photo: Jacques Marais.<\/span><\/p>\nThe 47-year-old Stelling, who is from Sea Point in Cape Town, completed the 81km in 3:09:12 to move into second overall on an aggregate time of 13:08:34.<\/p>\n
Belgian Karl Dossche held on to his overall lead after finishing second on the day in 3:19:38 (12:59:16).<\/p>\n
Third went to Willem Tollig in 3:19:53, but Alan Tilling\u2019s ride of 3:26:02 (13:18:42) keeps him in third overall.<\/p>\n
Stelling injured his rib last Monday in an incident while moving house and said he almost did not make it to the start line.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, I decided I would ride and have been taking a cocktail of tablets to manage the pain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the first day I just rode with a couple of mates and took it easy, but yesterday, because of the longer stage, I got into a faster group.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though I have not set myself a goal, today I wanted to race a bit harder as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stelling said he would not put any pressure on himself and would just take it day by day to see how it all panned out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rib was a bit sore initially, but I have managed to alleviate the pain somewhat and it\u2019s not feeling as bad as on the opening stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stelling described the TransCape as a \u201cbrilliant journey\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is one of the top three races in my book. The atmosphere is great, the accommodation is fantastic and the food is brilliant.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ride mountain bike races for the soulful experience and the vibe on this one is up there with the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Overnight leaders in the men\u2019s team category, Pieter Seyffert and Travis Walker, raced to their third consecutive stage victory in 2:54:56 (11:45:06) to consolidate their position at the top of the standings.<\/p>\n
Belgians Eddy Feliers and Kristof de Neys, who represent Cicero Baik, held on to second overall with their ride of 3:16:25 (12:39:50).<\/p>\n
Third on the day went to Bromance\u2019s David and William Wertheim Aymes in 3:19:52 (12:47:47), the same position they occupy in the overall situation.<\/p>\n
Ellsworth-ASG\u2019s Seyffert said the race was proving an excellent examination of his new partnership with the 25-year-old Walker from Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first two days were a big test for us because we have different styles of riding,\u201d said the 30-year-old from Helderkruin on the West Rand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t start the climbs as quickly as he does. He has speed while I try to keep it constant and then go harder over the top.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he has now seen what my riding style is and I\u2019ve experienced his,\u201d said Seyffert.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey say you race like you train, so this is a very good opportunity to see how we gel and it is the best way to get to know each other.\u201d<\/p>\n