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<\/a><\/p>\nStoltz was admittedly anxious about tackling Du Plessis on his home turf and at altitude: \u201cI Googled Brand and I knew he would put 1-2 minutes into me on the run, so it was always going to be a challenge,\u201d said Stoltz, who lives in Stellenbosch when he\u2019s not racing abroad.<\/p>\n
As expected, it was Du Plessis that fired the first salvo, setting a blistering pace ahead of the experienced Stoltz on the first run over five kilometres at the Hakahana Trails venue, just west of Pretoria. But Stoltz consolidated his effort on the bike leg and caught Du Plessis at halfway during the 30km mountain bike segment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter I caught up to Brand I waited for the flat sections to attack him, seeing I\u2019m double his size and probably couldn\u2019t outclimb him,\u201d explained Stoltz. \u201cThen I noticed he was on a hardtail frame and realised he\u2019d brought a knife to a gunfight!<\/p>\n
\u201cThe course was super rocky and my dual suspension frame was way better suited to this terrain than his hardtail. It was a fantastically fun course but I’m sure half the rocks on earth were dumped in this one location, which suited me perfectly,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n
Stoltz went on to establish a big enough lead by the end of the bike leg allowing him enough of a cushion over the faster-running Du Plessis for the final 2.5km trail run segment. This saw Stoltz claim the victory in a time of 01:43:40. Du Plessis crossed the finish in an uncharacteristic second place in a time of 01:47:05. Third place went to Bryn Freeman.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to be winning again and even better to be racing on home soil more, I\u2019m looking forward to race the remaining three events in the series\u201d said an elated Stoltz. Du Plessis was full of praise at the finish but already indicated he will be out for revenge at the second round of the series on June 20th .<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s race saw pre-race favourite, Andrea Steyn, return to form and her winning ways with an unchallenged effort to the finish at Hakahana trails.<\/p>\n \u201cI loved the course even though it was super tough. I\u2019m starting to gain confidence on the mountain bike and really starting to enjoy the bike leg,\u201d said an elated Steyn. \u201cI managed to get a small gap on the first run but struggled a bit on the bike, I was looking back all the time expecting to be caught,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n But her concern was unnecessary as she remained out front for the rest of the race, clocking a winning time of 02:11:34. <\/p>\n The increasing popularity of the series is evident by the steady growth in participation. There were more than 1000 athletes in total taking part in the event. According to Fritz Pienaar of Advendurance, the organising company, one of the most appealing elements is the fact that the event caters for the entire family.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n