![\"ccs-62657-0-83009100-1486303398.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-83009100-1486303398.jpg\")
<\/a>Pieter Seyffert from Ellsworth-ASG was in top form on the opening day of the seven-day TransCape mountain bike race as he and team-mate Travis Walker set the pace on the 80km stage from Knysna to Wilderness today. Photo: Jacques Marais<\/span><\/p>\nThey were followed home by Belgians Eddy Feliers and Kristof de Neys (Cicero Baik) in 3:42:42, with David and William Wertheim Aymes (Bromance) crossing the line in third in 3:42:43.<\/p>\n
Their commanding performance on a day that took in almost 1 600m of vertical climbing will see the South African pro outfit take a handy buffer into tomorrow\u2019s queen stage.<\/p>\n
Seyffert, who hails from Helderkruin on the West Rand, said their sizeable lead would allow them the luxury of not having to make the racing on tomorrow\u2019s stage, which is the longest of this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n
He said they were building towards next month\u2019s Bestmed Tour of Good Hope in the Cape Winelands and were delighted with their debut outing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our first race together and it will be a good test to see what I have to do as Travis\u2019s partner for upcoming stage races,\u201d said the 30-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a feeling we will be pretty good together. We have had a great start and will build on that as we learn from each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
After some heavy overnight showers, the riders faced a gentle drizzle through much of the stage, which took in sections of the well-known Seven Passes road \u2013 including Phantom Pass early on.<\/p>\n
Walker, who had recently returned to SA after racing in Europe, said while the weather made the route more treacherous in places, there was a positive side as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rain can be good and bad,\u201d said the 25-year-old, who has settled in Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe roads were quite gravelly and sandy, so the rain meant they were not that slippery and there was no dust from any vehicles going past.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really mind the drizzle as I prefer it cooler than blazing hot.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the other hand, some of the parts were very muddy and if you are not too careful you can go around a corner and slide on rocks or roots.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added the conditions were also prone to causing mechanicals and said the bikes would be checked thoroughly afterwards to assess their condition.<\/p>\n
Catherine Williamson and Hannele Steyn (Spar) finished in 3:42:44 to take the lead in the women\u2019s section.<\/p>\n