![\"ccs-62657-0-45630800-1413346262.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-45630800-1413346262.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nMatthys Beukes (left) and Philip Buys reach the summit of the Swartberg Pass first to claim R125 000 pay cheque and the overall lead in the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek on Tuesday. \/\/ Photo credit: Zoon Cronje\/Nikon\/Xtremedia.<\/span><\/p>\n The South Africans were the first to the summit of the Swartberg Pass, the only mountaintop finish in international mountain bike stage racing. The signature stage, which covered 86km and climbed a total of 2781 metres, is also the richest, paying out R125 000 (US$12 500) to the first men and women\u2019s teams to the finish line.<\/p>\n South African marathon champion, Robyn de Groot and Swedish marathon champion, Jennie Stenerhag (Biogen Toyota Cape Brewing Co.) were the first women\u2019s team to the summit, extending their overall lead by almost seven minutes over stage runners-up, Briton Catherine Williamson and Belgian Alice Picard (Asrin Cycling).<\/p>\n The German-based Team Bulls riders, Tim Bohme and Simon Siegbahn, overall leaders for the first two days, faltered on the final ascent of the Swartberg Pass losing almost four minutes and dropping to second place on the General Classification.<\/p>\n A large lead group numbering 30 reached the base of the final Swartberg Pass climb at the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek on Tuesday. \/\/ Photo credit: Zoon Cronje\/Nikon\/Xtremedia <\/span><\/p>\n The diminutive Spanish duo of Ismail Ventura and Ramon Segues (ESMTB.com) finished second on the stage and maintain their third place overall going into Wednesday\u2019s Stage 3.<\/p>\n Beukes and Buys chose to race the Cape Pioneer Trek, traditionally considered better suited to dual-suspension bikes, on hardtails (no rear suspension) specifically with Tuesday\u2019s stage in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cWe usually race our full-suspension SCOTT Sparks, but we decided that since we\u2019re both quite skilled and were hungry for the win on the Swartberg Pass, SCOTT Scale hardtails would be our choice. Clearly the decision paid off,\u201d beamed Beukes.<\/p>\n Their hardtails are 1000g lighter than their dual-suspension bikes, which may not seem like much, but is when the final climb has a relatively smooth gravel surface and climbs 1100 meters in 11km.<\/p>\n Women’s leaders Robyn de Groot (front) and Jennie Stenerhag climbed to a third successive stage victory on the Swartberg Pass at the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek on Tuesday. \/\/ Photo credit: Zoon Cronje\/Nikon\/Xtremedia<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For De Groot and Stenerhag the stage win, by such a large margin, was a surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cWe decided to race this stage like any other stage and not become distracted by the final climb and the big prize money,\u201d said Stenerhag.<\/p>\n \u201cAt around half way we noticed the Asrin team was right behind us, so we put in a bigger effort and moved clear of them. We weren\u2019t sure what our lead was over them at the start of the last climb, but someone did shout to us a little later that we were four minutes ahead of them,\u201d explained Stenerhag.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just focused on finding a good rhythm to hold our lead and were very happy to see that we increased it even,\u201d smiled the Swede.<\/p>\n In the other team racing categories, South Africans James Tenant and David Garrett were the top Amateurs, claiming the GC lead in the process, while Germans Max Friedrich and Jana Mischance (Firebike Tomotion by Blacktusk) were the first Mixed team home, also moving into the overall lead in their division.<\/p>\n The majestic Swartberg Pass gave the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek another memorable racing chapter during Stage 2 on Tuesday. \/\/ Photo credit: Zoon Cronje\/Nikon\/Xtremedia.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Heinz Zorweg (AUT) and Bartie Bucher (SUI) of Team Meerendal Wheeler 2 were the top Masters once again, extending their category lead significantly, while South Africans Johan Labuschagne and Gerrie Beukes (Klein Karoo Veterans) secured the Veteran men\u2019s stage win and moved into second overall, behind compatriots Fanie Venter and Wayne McDuling (Pynfabriek).<\/p>\n In the Solo men\u2019s division, Konny Looser (SUI) won the stage in his category and overall. He gained a lot of respect for his rapid ascent, but he didn\u2019t gain any significant change to his bank balance, as the large cash prizes are only for the first teams to the summit. In the Solo women\u2019s race Christine Janse van Rensburg (RSA), won another stage and extended her overall lead.<\/p>\n Wednesday\u2019s Stage 3 is a 107km leg from Prince Albert to De Rust. With a total of 1543m of ascent, it\u2019s expected to be a day of consolidation for many, although teams that haven\u2019t lived up to their early expectations are likely to be in the hunt for a stage win.<\/p>\n For more information on the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek, visit www.capepioneer.co.za. For race updates, follow @BridgeCPT<\/a> on twitter and Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stage 2 Results<\/strong><\/p>\n Men:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Philip Buys (RSA) \/ Matthys Beukes (RSA) \u2013 SCOTT Factory Racing 3:57:19<\/p>\n 2 Ismael Ventura (ESP) \/ Ramon Sagues (RSA) \u2013 ESMTB.com 3:58:11<\/p>\n 3 James Reid (RSA) \/ Herman Persteiner (AUT) \u2013 Asrin Cycling 3:59:34<\/p>\n 4 Michiel van Aelbroeck (NED) \/ Robby de Bock (NED) WMTB.Be \u2013 Feenstra 4:00:49<\/p>\n 5 Johann Rabie (RSA) \/ Gawie Combrinck (RSA) EAI South Africa 4:00:52<\/p>\n Women:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) \/ Robyn de Groot (RSA) \u2013 Biogen Toyota Cape Brewing Co 4:29:35<\/p>\n 2 Catherine Williamson (GBR) \/ Alice Pirard (BEL) Asrin Cycling 2 4:36:04<\/p>\n 3 Theresa Ralph (RSA) \/ Esther Suss (SUI) \u2013 Meerendal Wheeler 1 4:47:27<\/p>\n Amateur:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 James Tennent (RSA) \/ David Garrett (RSA) \u2013 Giant 2 4:31:39<\/p>\n 2 Jaco Ferreira (RSA) \/ Alexander Lamberts (RSA) \u2013 Columbia Europcar Bridge 4:32:35<\/p>\n 3 Jonathan Odendaal (RSA) \/ Bertus Odendaal (RSA) \u2013 Four Brothers 4:40:01<\/p>\n Veteran men:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Johan Labuschagne (RSA) \/ Gerrie Beukes (RSA) Klein Karoo Veterans 4:29:09<\/p>\n 2 Fanie Venter (RSA) \/ Wayne McDuling (RSA) \u2013 Pynfabriek 4:36:48<\/p>\n 3 Marne Dirks (RSA) \/ Pierre Griffioen (RSA) \u2013 Bridge Torq Zone Vets 4:52:54<\/p>\n Master men:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Heinz Zorweg (AUT) \/ Barti Bucher (SUI) \u2013 Meerendal Wheeler 2 4:13:30<\/p>\n 2 Izak Visagie (RSA) \/ Lieb Loots (RSA) \u2013 Wilde 3 4:50:45<\/p>\n 3 Waleed Baker (RSA) \/ Glen Haw (RSA) \u2013 Pitstop 5:01:25<\/p>\n Mixed:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Max Friedrich (GER) \/ Jana Zieschank (GER) \u2013 Firebike Tomotion by Blacktusk 4:28:39<\/p>\n 2 Kobus Barnard (RSA) \/ Fienie Barnard (RSA) \u2013 Klein Karoo Mixed 4:40:29<\/p>\n 3 Igna de Viliers (RSA) \/ Daleen Van der Leek (RSA) LGE Midas Bells Cycling 4:47:53<\/p>\n Solo men:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Konny Looser (SUI) 3:57:09<\/p>\n 2 Travis Walker (RSA) 3:58:00<\/p>\n 3 Alan Gordon (RSA) 4:06:10<\/p>\n Solo women:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Christine Janse van Rensburg (RSA) 4:58:34<\/p>\n 2 Katja Cauwenbergh (BEL) 5:34:40<\/p>\n 3 Nina Hind (RSA) 5:59:07<\/p>\n General Classification after Stage 2<\/strong><\/p>\n Men:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Philip Buys (RSA) \/ Matthys Beukes (RSA) \u2013 SCOTT Factory Racing 8:18:21<\/p>\n 2 Simon Stiebjahn (GER) \/ Tim Bohme (GER) \u2013 Team Bulls 8:21:48<\/p>\n 3 Ismael Venture (ESP) \/ Ramon Sagues (RSA) \u2013 ESMTB.com 8:24:15<\/p>\n 4 Waylon Woolcock (RSA) \/ Darren Lill (RSA) \u2013 Cannondale Blend 8:32:01<\/p>\n 5 Michiel van Aelbroeck (NED) \/ Robby de Bock (NED) WMTB.Be \u2013 Feenstra 8:32:45<\/p>\n Women:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) \/ Robyn de Groot (RSA) \u2013 Biogen Toyota Cape Brewing Co 9:29:46<\/p>\n 2 Catherine Williamson (GBR) \/ Alice Pirard (BEL) 9:43:26<\/p>\n 3 Theresa Ralph (RSA) \/ Esther Suss (SUI) \u2013 Meerendal Wheeler 1 10:02:34<\/p>\n Amateur:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 James Tennent (RSA) \/ David Garrett (RSA) \u2013 Giant 2 9:32:29<\/p>\n 2 Jaco Ferreira (RSA) \/ Alexander Lamberts (RSA) \u2013 Columbia Europcar Bridge 9:37:19<\/p>\n 3 Jonathan Odendaal (RSA) \/ Bertus Odendaal (RSA) \u2013 Four Brothers 9:40:10<\/p>\n Veteran men:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Fanie Venter (RSA) \/ Wayne McDuling (RSA) \u2013 Pynfabriek 9:32:38<\/p>\n 2 Johan Labuschagne (RSA) \/ Gerrie Beukes (RSA) Klein Karoo Veterans 9:46:39<\/p>\n 3 Marne Dirks (RSA) \/ Pierre Griffioen (RSA) \u2013 Bridge Torq Zone Vets 9:58:36<\/p>\n Master men:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Heinz Zorweg (AUT) \/ Barti Bucher (SUI) \u2013 Meerendal Wheeler 2 8:52:48<\/p>\n 2 Izak Visagie (RSA) \/ Lieb Loots (RSA) \u2013 Wilde 3 9:56:34<\/p>\n 3 Waleed Baker (RSA) \/ Glen Haw (RSA) \u2013 Pitstop 10:30:56<\/p>\n Mixed:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Max Friedrich (GER) \/ Jana Zieschank (GER) \u2013 Firebike Tomotion by Blacktusk 9:33:56<\/p>\n 2 Kobus Barnard (RSA) \/ Fienie Barnard (RSA) \u2013 Klein Karoo Mixed 9:44:50<\/p>\n 3 Igna de Viliers (RSA) \/ Daleen Van der Leek (RSA) LGE Midas Bells Cycling 10:06:09<\/p>\n Solo men:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Alan Gordon (RSA) 8:39:31<\/p>\n 2 Travis Walker (RSA) 8:40:32<\/p>\n 3 Ken van den Bulke (BEL) 8:45:04<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n