{"id":22167,"date":"2012-10-20T17:10:00","date_gmt":"2012-10-20T16:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/podium-battle-intensifies-at-cape-pioneer-trek-r328\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T12:35:55","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T12:35:55","slug":"podium-battle-intensifies-at-cape-pioneer-trek-r328","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/podium-battle-intensifies-at-cape-pioneer-trek-r328\/","title":{"rendered":"Podium battle intensifies at Cape Pioneer Trek"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The battle for the final podium places at the 2012 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek international mountain bike stage race in South Africa\u2019s Western Cape Province intensified further on Friday when Gawie Combrinck and Nico Bell (Westvaal Columbia) and Yolande Speedy and Yolande de Villiers (Klein Karoo International Ostrich Chicks) raced to victories on Stage 5.<\/p>\n<p>Although shortened and rerouted due to rain damage on the original 75km route, the penultimate stage of the seven-day race saw continued high levels of tension among the General Classification podium contenders. Bell and Combrinck won the stage overall, just ahead of overall leaders, Kevin Evans and David George (Nedbank 360Life), who confirmed they\u2019re riding defensively and cautiously and minimising any need to take risks.<\/p>\n<p>The big losers on the day were Melt Swanepoel and Matthys Beukes (Cango MTB.com), who finished 11 minutes back and lost second place on General Classification to Bell and Combrinck.<\/p>\n<p>The women\u2019s race was equally dynamic, with Stage 4 winners Speedy and De Villiers finishing six minutes ahead of Stopforth and Williamson (Bridge bizhub Ladies) to take the lead for the first time. Stopforth has been ill for two days and was on the brink of withdrawing overnight, but decided to start the stage on Friday, managing to get the finish with a shot a finishing the tour and, depending on her recovery, the overall title.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere was a big climb early on today, so our strategy was to start hard and try and get away from Melt and Matthys,\u201d said Bell. \u201cDavid George actually pushed the pace hard up there and we followed. Matthys was able stay with us, but had to drop back to Melt after a while.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe really gave it our all today. We wanted second place on GC and we wanted another stage win. We also wanted a big enough cushion for the last day so that we can take fewer risks and hopefully challenge for another stage win. We have a 10-minute margin, but that\u2019s not much in mountain biking. We lost more than that on Stage 2 when my derailleur hanger broke,\u201d added Bell.<\/p>\n<p>For Speedy and De Villiers, claiming the race lead was a significant motivation while the stage win was a bonus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe went into a lead from the first climb and then just focussed on keeping out of trouble while going as hard as we could. Our lead is less than a minute over Ischen and Catherine, which makes the women\u2019s race exciting right until the end. It\u2019s good for women\u2019s racing and for the Cape Pioneer Trek. It\u2019s been more of a race than a survival test.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With two stages of mechanical nightmares behind them, the top Veteran pairing of Nico Pfitzenmaier and Robert Sim (Robert Daniel Momsen) were once again racing at the front of the race, finishing the stage third overall and extending the lead in their category.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn Stage 1 we cut a tyre and had to tube it. Then we hit thorns and eventually ran out of spare tubes and inflator bombs. It was soul destroying. Then on Stage 3, Robert dented his rim, which again forced us to tube and again we had to deal with punctures. Riding without problems for the last two days has been a huge relief,\u201d explained Pfitzenmaier, a German who lives in Cape Town.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve done a lot of stage races around the world and this year\u2019s Cape Pioneer Trek is by far the best. It sets a new standard. The route has been challenging, but fun and the organisers really care about every single rider. Nothing is left to chance. Everything is just so well executed. Everything,\u201d added Pfitzenmaier.<\/p>\n<p>The Swiss team of Barti Bucher and Ernst Engeli (Bix-Sherpa Tensing Pedalerie), put in another impressive performance to finish the stage in eighth place overall, extending their Masters category lead further, while Mixed category leaders, Kathrin Stirnemann and Sandro Soncin (BH \u2013 Halbike \u2013 Tigers) of Switzerland won a third consecutive stage and tightened their grip on the lead in that division.<\/p>\n<p>Timo Cooper secured another stage win in the Solo men\u2019s race, while Diana Carolin\u2019s stage win saw her move into the lead in the Solo women\u2019s race after gradually closing the gap each day on previous leader, Desiree Loubser.<\/p>\n<p>Saturday\u2019s final stage was originally planned to be an 84km leg from George to Oudtshoorn, but may be shortened and rerouted to avoid areas affected by heavy overnight rain. No matter what the final route, it\u2019s unlikely to be regarded as a procession with a number of podium places still up for finalisation.<\/p>\n<p>Follow @BridgeCPT on twitter for regular updates. On Facebook, visit Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek 2012. See a full gallery of event images and more insight here: <a href=\"http:\/\/blog.capepioneer.co.za\/\" rel=\"external nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/blog.capepioneer.co.za\/<\/a> For additional event information, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.capepioneer.co.za\" rel=\"external nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.capepioneer.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Stage 5 \u2013 Herold to George<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>75km; 1 693 metres ascent (shortened)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Leading results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Open Men:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Nico Bell \u2013 RSA \/ Gawie Combrinck \u2013 RSA (Westvaal Columbia) 02:13:22<\/p>\n<p>2 Kevin Evans \u2013 RSA \/ David George \u2013 RSA (Nedbank 360Life) 02:13:25<\/p>\n<p>3 Matthys Beukes \u2013 RSA \/ Melt Swanepoel \u2013 RSA (Cango MTB.com) 02:24:21<\/p>\n<p>4 Mattijs Eversdijk \u2013 NED \/ Liwald Doornbos \u2013 NED (Cube Nutswerk 2) 02:26:16<\/p>\n<p>5 Chris Wolhuter \u2013 RSA \/ Oliver Munnik \u2013 RSA (Asrin Cycling) 02:28:42<\/p>\n<p><strong>Women:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Yolande de Villiers \u2013 RSA \/ Yolande Speedy \u2013 RSA (Klein Karoo International Ostrich Chicks) 02:44:26<\/p>\n<p>2 Ischen Stopforth \u2013 RSA \/ Catherine Williamson \u2013 GBR (Bridge bizhub Ladies) 02:50:25<\/p>\n<p>3 Sarah van Heerden \u2013 RSA \/ Jackie Church \u2013 RSA (Wilde 2) 03:10:53<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mixed:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Kathrin Stirnemann \u2013 SUI \/ Sandro Soncin \u2013 SUI (BH \u2013 Halbike \u2013 Tigers) 02:38:11<\/p>\n<p>2 Max Fridrich \u2013 GER \/ Nadine Rieder \u2013 GER (Ergon 24H Racing Team) 02:41:20<\/p>\n<p>3 Craig Gerber \u2013 RSA \/ Jennie Stenerhag \u2013 SWE (Newlinesport) 02:47:00<\/p>\n<p><strong>Veteran:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Robert Sim \u2013 RSA \/ Nico Pfitzenmaier \u2013 GER (Robert Daniel Momsen) 02:22:03<\/p>\n<p>2 Micha de Vries \u2013 NED \/Willem van Heerdt \u2013 NED (Cube Nutswerk 1) 02:31:56<\/p>\n<p>3 Gus Klohn \u2013 RSA \/ Marc Wiederkehr \u2013 RSA (Ansaldo STS Dunkeld Cycles) 02:51:51<\/p>\n<p><strong>Masters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Barti Bucher \u2013 SUI \/ Ernst Engeli \u2013 SUI (Bix-Sherpa Tensing Pedalerie) 02:32:00<\/p>\n<p>2 Neville Ackermann \u2013 RSA \/ Charles Nienaber \u2013 RSA (Bridge Masters) 02:45:38<\/p>\n<p>3 Tony Conlon \u2013 RSA \/ Peter Stopforth \u2013 RSA (Marsilio Projects Masters) 02:50:26<\/p>\n<p><strong>Solo Men:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Timo Cooper \u2013 RSA 02:21:46<\/p>\n<p>2 Heinz Zoerweb \u2013 AUT 02:22:03<\/p>\n<p>3 Petrus Malherbe \u2013 RSA 02:31:58<\/p>\n<p><strong>Solo Women:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Diana Carolin \u2013 RSA 03:09:10<\/p>\n<p>2 Desiree Loubser \u2013 RSA 03:20:44<\/p>\n<p>3 Dianna Ineman \u2013 SUI 03:24:35<\/p>\n<p><strong>General Classification after Stage 5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Open Men:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Kevin Evans \u2013 RSA \/ David George \u2013 RSA (Nedbank 360Life) 17hr 49min 50sec<\/p>\n<p>2 Nico Bell \u2013 RSA \/ Gawie Combrinck \u2013 RSA (Westvaal Columbia) 18:12:48<\/p>\n<p>3 Matthys Beukes \u2013 RSA \/ Melt Swanepoel \u2013 RSA (Cango MTB.com) 18:23:18<\/p>\n<p>4 Chris Wolhuter \u2013 RSA \/ Oliver Munnik \u2013 RSA (Asrin Cycling) 19:23:49<\/p>\n<p>5 Mattijs Eversdijk \u2013 NED \/ Liwald Doornbos \u2013 NED (Cube Nutswerk 2) 19:46:47<\/p>\n<p><strong>Women:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Yolande de Villiers \u2013 RSA \/ Yolande Speedy \u2013 RSA (Klein Karoo International Ostrich Chicks) 21:46:09<\/p>\n<p>2 Ischen Stopforth \u2013 RSA \/ Catherine Williamson \u2013 GBR (Bridge bizhub Ladies) 21:47:05<\/p>\n<p>3 Sarah van Heerden \u2013 RSA \/ Jackie Church \u2013 RSA (Wilde 2) 23:55:30<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mixed:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Kathrin Stirnemann \u2013 SUI \/ Sandro Soncin \u2013 SUI (BH \u2013 Halbike \u2013 Tigers) 20:33:12<\/p>\n<p>2 Max Fridrich \u2013 GER \/ Nadine Rieder \u2013 GER (Ergon 24H Racing Team) 20:47:04<\/p>\n<p>3 Craig Gerber \u2013 RSA \/ Jennie Stenerhag \u2013 SWE (Newlinesport) 21:26:25<\/p>\n<p><strong>Veteran:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Robert Sim \u2013 RSA \/ Nico Pfitzenmaier \u2013 GER (Robert Daniel Momsen) 19:37:51 <\/p>\n<p>2 Micha de Vries &#8211; NED \/Willem van Heerdt \u2013 NED (Cube Nutswerk 1) 20:07:25<\/p>\n<p>3 Rex Benson \u2013 RSA \/ Mark Langman \u2013 RSA (Bridge USN) 22:30:53<\/p>\n<p><strong>Masters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Barti Bucher \u2013 SUI \/ Ernst Engeli \u2013 SUI (Bix-Sherpa Tensing Pedalerie) 20:09:17<\/p>\n<p>2 Neville Ackermann \u2013 RSA \/ Charles Nienaber \u2013 RSA (Bridge Masters) 21:56:19<\/p>\n<p>3 Tony Conlon \u2013 RSA \/ Peter Stopforth \u2013 RSA (Marsilio Projects Masters) 23:09:53<\/p>\n<p><strong>Solo Men:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Timo Cooper \u2013 RSA 19:01:22<\/p>\n<p>2 Heinz Zoerweb \u2013 AUT 19:22:42<\/p>\n<p>3 Petrus Malherbe \u2013 RSA 19:46:07<\/p>\n<p><strong>Solo Women:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 Diana Carolin \u2013 RSA 24:45:46<\/p>\n<p>2 Desiree Loubser \u2013 RSA 24:53:57<\/p>\n<p>3 Dianna Ineman \u2013 SUI 25:56:28<\/p>\n<p>For full results, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.capepioneer.co.za\" rel=\"external nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.capepioneer.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-02068200-1350753442.jpg\" data-fileid=\"153134\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"153134\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"pioneer_61.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-02068200-1350753442.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#696969\"><span style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>Riders skirt the edge of a dam during Stage 5 from Herold to George of the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek international mountain bike stage race.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#696969\"><span style=\"font-size:12px\"><strong>Photo credit: Karin Schermbrucker\/Slingshot Media <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-69704300-1350753433.jpg\" data-fileid=\"153133\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"153133\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"pioneer_62.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-69704300-1350753433.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#696969\"><span style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>Kevin Evans (Nedbank 360Life) leads the front group up a steep climb during Stage 5 of the 2012 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek international mountain bike stage race on Friday.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#696969\"><span style=\"font-size:12px\"><strong>Photo credit: Karin Schermbrucker\/Slingshot Media<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image\" href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-07409100-1350753423.jpg\" data-fileid=\"153132\" data-fileext=\"jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-fileid=\"153132\" class=\"ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed\" alt=\"pioneer_63.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-07409100-1350753423.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#696969\"><span style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>Overall leaders, David George (left) and Kevin Evans (Nedbank 360Life) were content with second place on Stage 5 of the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek international mountain bike stage race on Friday.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#696969\"><span style=\"font-size:12px\"><strong>Photo credit: Karin Schermbrucker\/Slingshot Media <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The battle for the final podium places at the 2012 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek international mountain bike stage race in South Africa\u2019s Western Cape Province intensified further on Friday when Gawie Combrinck and Nico Bell (Westvaal Columbia) and Yolande Speedy and Yolande de Villiers (Klein Karoo International Ostrich Chicks) raced to victories on Stage 5. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":53511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-22167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22167\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22167"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=22167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}