![\"ccs-58780-0-86325600-1479044167.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-58780-0-86325600-1479044167.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>front to back): Team Kross Bikes BiXS Pro\u2019s Konny Looser and Fabian Giger in action during Stage Three of the 2016 FNB Wines2Whales Mountain Bike (MTB) Race. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg<\/span><\/p>\nLooser and Giger put down the hammer from the start of Stage Three at Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw), resulting in a lightning fast Stage Three finishing time of 02 hours 38 minutes 44 seconds.<\/p>\n
According to Looser, the plan was to go out hard from the start. \u201cWe were here to win,\u201d says Looser. \u201cThe stage was perfect for us. We made our break on the long downhill section after the Houw Hoek Inn. We just put down the hammer, kept our own pace and made up time. It\u2019s lovely to be crowned the overall W2W Champions. We had some bad luck during the first stage, but the best team won today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything went according to plan,\u201d says Giger. \u201cWe had an amazing day. The legs felt good and we had no mechanical issues. I really enjoyed the race. The trails, venue and people are really nice. It was three days of really good racing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the leading team going into Stage Three, Investec-Songo-Specialized\u2019s Christoph Sauser and Sam Gaze had to settle for an overall 8th place stage finish. \u201cIt was just one of those days,\u201d says Gaze. \u201cI didn\u2019t have the legs. Sauser really looked after me. Although we didn\u2019t have a good stage, I absolutely loved the weekend. This is my favorite stage race that I\u2019ve done so far. I am hoping to do more in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had three days of awesome riding,\u201d says Sauser. \u201cW2W is challenging, but it\u2019s not too hard. I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team Telkom\u2019s Hendrik Kruger and Johann Rabie secured the second spot on the podium after three days of racing, while Team NAD Pro MTB\u2019s Gawie Combrinck and Nico Bell finished third.<\/p>\n
Team Ascendis Health\u2019s Robyn De Groot and Jennie Stenerhag secured their second stage victory and the overall Women\u2019s Champions Title on the day. \u201cToday was awesome,\u201d says Stenerhag. \u201cWe had a good race. Robyn and I have been riding together for three years. W2W was a fantastic race to close off the season.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe year has had some good ups and some taxing downs,\u201d says De Groot. \u201cW2W is a super way to finish our last race. It\u2019s a fantastic event that just keeps improving. It\u2019s still one of my favourites.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team Ascendis Health\u2019s completed Stage Three in 03 hours 02 minutes 38 seconds, taking their combined finishing time for three days of racing to 09 hours 14 minutes 38 seconds.<\/p>\n
Team Spur\u2019s Ariane Kleinhans and Cherie Redecker placed second on the day and second overall after three days of racing. \u201cI suffered on the long flats in the beginning,\u201d says Redecker. \u201cAriane did a great job motivating me. I got my mojo back at the single track at water point two.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was super cool riding with Cherie,\u201d says Kleinhans. \u201cHaving worked on the event in the past, Cherie was just getting cheers from everyone along the route. This shows the type of person that she is. Everyone loves her. It also just proves that it\u2019s not all about the money, but rather about the experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team Dormakaba Time Freight\u2019s Candice Neethling and Vera Adrian secured the third spot on the podium after three days of racing.<\/p>\n
Team Merchants\u2019 Martin and Jeannie Dreyer secured their third stage victory in 03 hours 20 minutes and their overall Mixed Team Champion\u2019s Title in a combined time of 10 hours 51 seconds.<\/p>\n
According to Martin, W2W is an incredible event. \u201cWe were really treated well at this event and I got to spend time with a loved one. All three stages are just so different. I absolutely loved it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team SAICA Global Asp\u2019s Ila Stow and Marc Wells secured the second spot on the podium after three days of racing, while Team CFP CYCLETEC Mixed Genevieve Weber and Nichol Jordaan finished third.<\/p>\n
Stage Three, the final destination stage, kicked off at the beautiful Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw). Riders were treated to a 69km route (featuring a 1200m climb) from the winelands to the ocean. Iconic sections on route included: passing the Houw Hoek Inn, the oldest hotel in South Africa, meandering through the quaint town of Botriver past the Botriver School, experiencing the magnificent Wildekrans and Hermanus Trails, Gaf-se-Bos, the Fruitways Beach Crossing, the PERI river crossing and then finally crossing the finish line by the sea.<\/p>\n
\u201cYear after year, the FNB Wines2Whales continues to grow stronger, proving why it is one of the most respected and sought-after MTB events in the South African sporting calendar. This event is aligned to our belief that adventure is the heart of innovation and we are delighted to be in a position to enable this experience for MTB enthusiasts, including our clients. Congratulations to all the participants, especially the winners of the three stages, who went the extra-mile and displayed resilience until the finish line,\u201d said Mike Vacy-Lyle, CEO of FNB Business.<\/p>\n