![\"ccs-62657-0-93215400-1478702718.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-93215400-1478702718.jpg\")
<\/a>Theresa and Shane Roomer of Team Roomerhasit in action during Stage Three of the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Ride on Wednesday, 09 November 2016. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.<\/span><\/p>\nThe men\u2019s, women\u2019s and mixed team categories celebrated hat-trick victories on the day.<\/p>\n
With the telltale signs of two days of racing in their legs, Team ACE Lesotho\u2019s Phetetso Monese and Bruce Hughes managed to put up a valiant fight, leading the elite men\u2019s race from Water Point Two until the finish. \u201cMy legs weren\u2019t feeling great this morning,\u201d says Hughes. \u201cWe kept a casual pace until Water Point Two. Phetetso then decided to put it down on the climb, I just followed. Taking part in the W2W is such a privilege. The event just keeps getting better and better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy legs were really sore today,\u201d says Monese. \u201cStage Three was really exciting, finishing at the sea. W2W is tough. I will definitely train harder next year.\u201d Team ACE Lesotho secured the Stage Three victory in 02 hours 59 minutes 52 seconds and an overall event victory in a combined time of 09 hours 04 minutes 35 seconds. Team KAP Prochorus\u2019 Lorenzo Le Roux and Daniel Mannweiler came in second, while Team Lantau Buffaloes\u2019 HP Odendaal and Daniel Carleton finished third.<\/p>\n
According to rally sensation Ashley Haigh Smith, W2W is his highlight event of the year. \u201cGugu Zulu introduced me to the W2W four years ago. This year I rode in honour of Gugu. There are many reasons why W2W is special. The riders are well looked after, the atmosphere is amazing and a lot of work goes into the trails.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was all smiles for Team Haaskat\u2019s Russell Lund and Anneke Hanekom, claiming the Stage Three win in 03 hours 23 minutes 16 seconds, and the overall victory in a combined time of 10 hours 23 minutes 48 seconds. \u201cIt all just comes together in the end,\u201d says Lund. \u201cToday was pretty much admin free. We started steady and finished strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToday was amazing,\u201d said Hanekom. \u201cI can\u2019t decide which stage is better.\u201d Team Bike Hub\u2019s Nicholas Webb and Kylie Hanekom came in second, while Team Citricom 2\u2019s Jeanie De Villiers and Piet Laubscher finished third.<\/p>\n
Team Companero\u2019s Jana Kruger and Ilse Viljoen finished strong with a 03 hours 44 minutes 06 seconds Stage Three victory and an overall victory in a combined time of 11 hours 36 minutes 29 seconds. \u201cStage three was very nice,\u201d says Viljoen. \u201cI am crazy about single track. W2W is amazing, really well organised with perfect routes. This is easily the best event that we\u2019ve ever taken part in.\u201d After three days of racing Team Sterri Stumpi & Beer\u2019s Meike Aschenbroich and Inky Talbot claimed the second spot on the podium, while Team Vergelegen\u2019s Alta Kriegler and Sunette Beyers finished third.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ride certainly lived up to expectations, sustaining great momentum from the first stage. The atmosphere was both intense and enjoyable as the cyclists showcased varying levels of fitness and talent, while being wowed by the amazing scenery. Well done to all the participants and winners. We are looking forward to a spectacular finish as we approach the last stage of the event, the FNB W2W MTB Race,\u201d said Mike Vacy-Lyle, CEO of FNB Business.<\/p>\n