![\"ccs-41808-0-55306400-1402303279.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-41808-0-55306400-1402303279.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWomen\u2019s solo category winner Anriette Schoeman of Africa Silks-Bestmed (left) chases Merrell rider Andrea von Holdt, who won the mixed race with Graeme van der Nest, at the three-day RECM Knysna 200 on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n The duo showed their technical superiority when they took the lead in extremely muddy conditions on day one and did not relinquish it again.<\/p>\n They set a blistering pace on the final 58km stage through the Harkerville Forest to put the seal on a dominant performance in the three-day, 200km race.<\/p>\n The RSA Web-Dorma teammates cruised into the finish at Thesen Harbour Town in 2:09:20 to take the overall win in 8:13:07.<\/p>\n Cannondale-Blend veterans Martin Epstein and Andrew Davies limped home seventh in 2:29:10 after damaging a rim in the closing kilometres. They had however done enough to retain the overall runner-up spot in 9:04:41.<\/p>\n RSA Web-Dorma riders Renay Groustra (left) and Nico Pfitzenmaier celebrate their victory.<\/span><\/p>\n Freewheel Cycology\u2019s Lucas McDowall and Lionel Murray, who went astray on the opening stage, finished second on the final day in 2:24:58 to remain third overall in 9:24:48.<\/p>\n Groustra said he was very happy with the win, which had set him up well for the world marathon championships in Pietermaritzburg later this month.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a solid three days of riding and I think it\u2019s going to round off our form quite nicely. I\u2019m just excited to be on the up and see what I can do after this.\u201d<\/p>\n World masters cross-country champion Pfitzenmaier, who leaves shortly for the BC Bike Race in Canada, said the race had provided excellent conditioning for the tough international event.<\/p>\n \u201cThe form is coming along and we had a nice strong day to finish, which is good for your head. The slippery roots and conditions are what I\u2019m expecting in Canada, so it was good preparation.\u201d<\/p>\n RSA Web-Dorma riders Renay Groustra (left) and Nico Pfitzenmaier celebrate their victory.<\/span><\/p>\n Hammer Nutrition\u2019s Dominic Calitz, who had kept pace with the leaders throughout the race, chased hard once again to claim the stage (2:09:48) and overall (8:13:36) laurels in the men\u2019s solo category.<\/p>\n Local rider Vernon Moos, who is a product of the Knysna Sport School, showed his grit after crashing on the technical timed enduro section and puncturing irreparably.<\/p>\n The RECM rider rode the final 10km on his front rim and rear tyre to finish second behind Calitz on the stage (2:23:26) and in the overall standings (9:01:53). Ross MacGregor rounded out the day\u2019s podium in 2:28:23 to finish third on GC (9:28:35).<\/p>\n Calitz said he was very happy that the race was over.<\/p>\n \u201cRenay and Nico are really on form and I struggled to keep up with them. I came into the race in semi-form and really had to ride my lungs out.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n