![\"ccs-62657-0-61269500-1446643724.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-61269500-1446643724.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Riders in action during Stage Three of the FNB Wines2Whales MTB Ride on Wednesday, 04 November 2015. Photo Credit: Volume Photography<\/span><\/p>\nAlthough crossing the finish line in third place on the day, Tyler Day and JC Jooste of Team Bianchi\/Westvaal knew that their efforts over the past three days had secured them the overall title in the men\u2019s race. \u201cWe adopted a defensive role today,\u201d said Jooste. \u201cWe knew that we only needed to keep up with the two leading teams. Shortly after water point two Tyler fell. We caught the leading guys again, but then after water point three Tyler hit a wall. We just pampered each other until we reached the finish. For me today\u2019s single track was way nicer than that of Stage Two. It\u2019s in the shade and fast flowing. W2W is definitely the best mountain biking experience, from the accommodation to the food, tents, single track and competitors. We will definitely be back next year.\u201d Team Bianchi\/Westvaal completed the three stages in a combined time of 09 hours 55 minutes 34 seconds. Michael Potton and Theuns Goosen of Team FLM9 came in second, while Heiko Redecker and Graeme Kuys of Team FLM8 finished third.<\/p>\n
With a combined finishing time of 11 hours 12 minutes 14 seconds, the mixed team title was firmly secured by Team Merida\u2019s Warrick Kernes and Nicolette Griffioen. According to Griffioen, Stage Three was fast paced from the start. \u201cWarrick\u2019s bike had a mechanical on round about the 20km mark. It took us at least ten minutes to sort it out. We managed to catch all but one of the teams that had passed us. W2W has been a learning curve for me. The event is well organised, definitely the best that I\u2019ve been to. We\u2019re really happy to take the mixed team title. Maybe next year we can take part in the race.\u201d Petrus Oelofse and Yzette Oelofse of Team Boys and Bikes came in second, while Francois Malan and Jeanie De Villiers of Team Citricom2 finished third.<\/p>\n
Michele Du Toit and Beverley Wood of Team Fast in Frannies where the ladies to beat, claiming gold in a combined finishing time of 13 hours 43 minutes 35 seconds. Barbara Mulcahy and Sally Petersen of Team Karoo Sister Power came in second, while Michelle Zulch and Riana Howlett of Team S-Works finished third.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ride has certainly been highly exciting this year. It is inspiring to see the intense competition, varying levels of fitness and skills showcased by the cyclists who took part. It\u2019s also great to see cyclists demonstrating a sense of enjoyment during the contest because this is what the competition is all about. Congratulations to the participants and the winners as we approach the last stage of the 2015 FNB Wines2Whales edition,\u201d said Mike Vacy-Lyle, CEO FNB Business.<\/p>\n
The much anticipated FNB W2W MTB Race will kick off at the picturesque Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West) at 07:00 on Friday, 06 November 2015. Teams of two riders will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!<\/p>\n
Top riders to look out for will include: Christoph Sauser and Konny Looser, Erik Kleinhans and James Reid, Gawie Combrinck and Johann Rabie, brothers Ivan and Jaco Venter, Ariane Kleinhans and Candice Neethling as well as Jennie Stenehag and Robyn De Groot.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n