![\"ccs-62657-0-50461500-1436792446.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-50461500-1436792446-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nPieter Seyffert leads the charge up the first climb at Nissan TrailSeeker Lionman<\/span><\/p>\n The quartet hit the base of the race\u2019s big climb together, but the ascent split them up with Kruger going over the summit in front and claiming the Dunlop Hot Spot title in the process. The road cycling pro then set about tackling the rough descent and maintaining his lead.<\/p>\n A concerted effort by Combrinck, the recently crowned South African marathon champion, saw him close the gap to Kruger on the descent, but he was unable to make contact with his younger rival who managed to extend his lead to grab the victory in a fast time of 2 hours 35 mintues 42 seconds. Combrinck finished second almost four minutes later with Seyffert rounding out the podium places in 2:40:23.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first 20 kays the pace was quite hard, which split the race up early. I was able to get to the top of the big climb first and then really just wanted to keep my lead. I was fortunate not to have any mechanical issues and it felt good to win a mountain bike race again,\u201d said Kruger.<\/p>\n \u201cAt about 40km I heard a noise in the bush near me an got quite a fright. It was a couple of giraffe and a couple of rhino! That shot my heart rate up a bit and made me ride a bit faster. It was certainly a memorable race for me,\u201d smiled Kruger.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a typical bushveld race \u2013 lots of sand, very rocky in places and plenty of thorns. But it was fun and fast,\u201d said Combrinck.<\/p>\n \u201cPieter (Seyffert) went pretty much flat out from the start. HB got a small gap on me by the top of the climb, about 30 seconds or so and although I got close, I couldn\u2019t quite close him down on the rocky descent. HB was just stronger on the flat, open roads. Considering I\u2019m not in peak form, I\u2019m happy with my second place today,\u201d added Combrinck.<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race, De Groot took command from early on and was able to avoid any unplanned stoppages to clock a winning time of 3:01:14. Theresa Ralph (RBS) finished second with Adrienne Moolman in third.<\/p>\n Ladies winner Robyn de Groot pushing on alone to the finish.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI knew it would be a tough climb to the top , so I started pushing a little bit harder. Once I\u2019d passed the hot spot I looked around and realised I was by myself. I had to just keep pushing on and it really turned into a time trial to the finish from there,\u201d explained De Groot.<\/p>\n \u201cThe terrain was more rugged than I expected. There was a lot of sand and loose rock. I suppose it was a proper mountain biking challenge,\u201d smiled de Groot.<\/p>\n Round 3 of the Nissan TrailSeeker Gauteng Series, the Hazeldean edition, takes place on 29 August 2015 at Curro College, Hazeldean, Pretoria East To enter, or for more information, visit www.trailseekerseries.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/trailseekermtb\/videos\/vb.157607670966173\/939075432819389<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n