![\"ccs-62657-0-88013800-1462976089.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-88013800-1462976089.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Gert Heyns confidently crossing the finish line at TrailSeekerWC1 Boschendal. Photo Credit: ZC Marketing Consulting<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cI was quite surprised at how fun the trails were. The race duration wasn\u2019t too long \u2013 around 3 hours \u2013 and the route had a lot of cool singletrack. It was a very enjoyable race and a nice one to win,\u201d smiled Heyns.<\/p>\n
\u201cGert and I broke away early and rode together. But when we got to the last singletrack my legs were dying and I just couldn\u2019t match him over the last 500 metres or so. I\u2019m feeling good for Sani2c though,\u201d said Beers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a tough, but stimulating route. The rough surface in places, some steep climbs and the strong wind made for a solid challenge. I\u2019m happy with third place because I took a break after SA marathon champs, so am not at a peak currently, said Woolcock.<\/p>\n
In the women\u2019s race Jennie Stenerhag (Ascendis Health) used the steep early climbing to her advantage and was able to extend her lead gradually throughout the 70km race to finish first in a time of 3:41:11. Katie Leonard grabbed second place less than two minutes later with Carmen Buchacher another 10 seconds back in third.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found the race really hard from the start. The wind was very strong but I got away from the other ladies on the steep climb at around 11km and kept a steady pace the rest of the way. It was actually a tough race, but it feels good to be healthy again,\u201d said Stenerhag.<\/p>\n