{"id":66671,"date":"2024-02-09T18:06:20","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T16:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=66671"},"modified":"2024-02-11T14:21:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-11T12:21:22","slug":"cannondale-factory-racing-and-toyota-specialized-double-up-at-the-tankwa-trek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/cannondale-factory-racing-and-toyota-specialized-double-up-at-the-tankwa-trek\/","title":{"rendered":"Cannondale Factory Racing and Toyota Specialized Double Up at the Tankwa Trek"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cannondale Factory Racing and Toyota Specialized doubled up on their Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, success with stage victories on Friday, 9 February 2024. The wins are both the UCI women\u2019s and men\u2019s category leaders\u2019 second of the race. This sees both Candice Lill and Mona Mitterwallner, as well as Matt Beers and Alex Miller extend their overall advantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Stage 2, into the Witzenberg Valley, was a fiercely contested affair, from which Toyota Specialized emerged victorious. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Candice Lill (leading) and Mona Mitterwallner (second wheel) won their second successive stage at the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, to extend their general classification lead. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stage 2 was a technical 88 kilometre affair, with 1 700 metres of climbing, in the Witzenberg Valley. Famed for its challenging singletracks and arduous climbs, the course provided the terrain for the strongest teams to gain from their physical advantages. In the women\u2019s race the second climb of the day was the one which proved decisive, while in the men\u2019s it was only on the return to the Koue Bokkeveld Plateau that the accumulated efforts told on the Toyota Specialized team\u2019s rivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur plan for the stage was always to wait for the climb on the Tulbagh side of the Witzenberg Valley, 48 kilometres in,\u201d Mitterwallner recalled. \u201cUp to that point we were happy to ride with the group and conserve a bit of energy. Though the trails also didn\u2019t really lend themselves to establishing a gap.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn the climb we pushed hard and were able to create the start of a gap to Janika [Loiv] and Yana [Belomoina],\u201d Mitterwallner added. \u201cWe capitalised on that advantage by going fast, but safely, on the descent and then going full gas on the flats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Mona Mitterwallner enjoyed the trails and the scenery in the beautiful Witzenberg Valley. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
KMC-Ridley set the pace for much of the early phases of the day in the UCI women\u2019s race. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
An elite selection, of five men\u2019s teams contested the first half of the stage together before Toyota Specialized and Imbuko Pro Cycling edged away from the group. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Having ridden in a group with the Efficient Infiniti Insure and KMC-Ridley teams for the first 48 kilometres; when Cannondale Factory Racing pushed on, they initially distanced Danielle Strydom and Vera Looser. Janika Loiv and Yana Belomoina remained in contact with the race leaders until the summit of the second climb, but once the gap began to grow on the descent it ballooned out to 2 minutes and 30 seconds relatively rapidly. By the finish line the deficit was 5 minutes and 13 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, after two days of racing Lill and Mitterwallner lead Loiv and Belomoina by 6 minutes and 57 seconds. Vera Looser and Danielle Strydom\u2019s loss of 1 minute and 13 seconds to the KMC-Ridley team sees the Efficient Infiniti Insure team slip to third overall, at 7 minutes and 31 seconds behind Cannondale Factory Racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the men\u2019s race, Imbuko Pro Cycling took the fight to Toyota Specialized in the early phases. \u201cWessel [Botha] had been caught out behind a group yesterday so we knew we had to be at the front from the start today,\u201d Marco Joubert stated. \u201cWe kept the pressure on and managed to ride cleanly through the singletracks in the first 40 kilometres.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joubert and Botha\u2019s pace setting was such that only Beers and Miller, as well as the KMC-Ridley, PYGA Euro Steel, and Bulls Mavericks teams were able to follow. Pieter du Toit, Jaedon Terlouw, Simon Schneller, and Axel Roudil-Cortinat yo-yoed off the group at times, but repeatedly made it back. \u201cThough the riding in the Witzenberg is tough, it\u2019s hard to make a difference to other strong teams,\u201d Beers explained. \u201cYou have to just make sure its hard enough that the fatigue builds up in your rivals\u2019 legs in order to create an opportunity for later in the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Alex Miller (foreground) and Wessel Botha (behind Miller) were two of the day\u2019s primary protagonists. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Imbuko Pro Cycling seized control of the race in the singletracks, but were unable to put enough pressure on Toyota Specialized to win the stage. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is exactly what happened as the top five teams started the climb to the highest point in the stage together. \u201cWe kept pushing on the biggest climb and managed to get away with the Toyota Specialized team,\u201d Botha explained. The Imbuko Pro Cycling and Toyota Specialized teams were only able to establish a 60 second buffer by the foot of the descent which followed the climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the following 7 flat and fast kilometres they extended that advantage by 30 seconds, as PYGA Euro Steel and the Bulls Mavericks caught up to KMC-Ridley. Despite their numerical advantage it was clear that the chasers would not be able to reel in the leaders. Ascending out of the Witzenberg Valley back towards the Koue Bokkeveld, Beers and Miller came to the fore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe tried to shake Imbuko [Pro Cycling] on the last climb, but couldn\u2019t manage it,\u201d Beers said. \u201cThen on the kick out of the descent we attacked and got a little gap. With the tail winds coming home we were able to extend that and take a nice lead into Stage 3. This is mountain biking and the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, though. You never know what will happen tomorrow, so every second is valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beers and Miller\u2019s margin of victory, on the stage, was 1 minute and 18 seconds over Joubert and Botha. Gunnar Holmgren and Martins Blums recovered from having to stop to reinflate Blums\u2019 rear tyre inside the final 15 kilometres to win the sprint for third. They slipped from second to third on the general classification standings, which are topped by the Toyota Specialized team. Imbuko Pro Cycling leapfrogged from fifth to second, and are 3 minutes and 14 seconds off the men in the yellow First Ascent jerseys. KMC-Ridley are a further 34 seconds back. PYGA Euro Steel and the \u2060Bulls Mavericks are within 7 seconds of each other, just over 5 minutes down on the overall standings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The time gaps could change significantly on Stage 3 as the race takes on South African mountain biking\u2019s most iconic climb, the Merino Monster. Rising from the Ceres Valley floor to 1 799 metres above sea level the pre-climb and the Monster itself gain over 1 000 metres in elevation. The 7.8 kilometres from Water Point 3, on the Merino Farm, to the summit averages an 8.8% gradient and gains 686 metres. The current Strava King of the Mountain record holder is Sebastian Fini, who clocked a time of 36 minutes and 49 seconds in 2020. Isla Short set the women\u2019s Queen of the Mountain best effort, also during the 2020 race, of 45 minutes and 55 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In total Saturday\u2019s course includes 96 kilometres and 2 200 metres of climbing. The racing action will get underway at 06:30 and mountain biking fans can follow the action on the race\u2019s Instagram and Facebook stories. Follow @tankwatrek<\/a> on Instagram and Tankwa Trek<\/a> on Facebook. Further information can be found at www.tankwatrek.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Men\u2019s Stage 2 podium (from left to right): Marco Joubert, Wessel Botha, Matt Beers, Alex Miller, Martins Blums and Gunnar Holmgren. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Women\u2019s Stage 2 podium (from left to right): Janika Loiv, Yana Belomoina, Mona Mitterwallner, Candice Lill, Vera Looser and Danielle Strydom. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, Results:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Men’s Results | Stage 2:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Toyota Specialized: Alex Miller & Matthew Beers (03:21:52)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Imbuko Pro Cycling: Marco Joubert & Wessel Botha (3:23:10 | +1:18)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. KMC Ridley: Gunnar Holmgren & Martins Blums (03:25:04 | +3:12)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Bulls Mavericks: Simon Schneller & Axel Roudil-Cortinat (03:25:08 | +3:16)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. \u2060PYGA Euro Steel: Pieter du Toit & Jaedon Terlouw (03:25:10 | +3:18)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Women\u2019s Results | Stage 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Cannondale Factory Racing: Candice Lill & Mona Mitterwallner (04:05:34)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. KMC Ridley: Janika Loiv & Yana Belomoina (04:10:47 | +5:13)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Efficient Infiniti Insure: Vera Looser & Danielle Strydom (04:12:00 | +6:26)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. \u2060Freewheel Cycology Absolute Motion: Frances Janse van Rensburg & Hayley Preen (04:28:30 | +22:56)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. \u2060Absa Bell: Sarah Hill & Hayley Smith (04:29:16 | +23:42)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Men’s Results | Stage 2 General Classification:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Toyota Specialized: Alex Miller & Matthew Beers (04:13:45)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Imbuko Pro Cycling: Marco Joubert & Wessel Botha (04:16:59 | +3:14)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. KMC Ridley: Gunnar Holmgren & Martins Blums (04:17:33 | +3:48)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. \u2060PYGA Euro Steel: Pieter du Toit & Jaedon Terlouw (04:18:56 | +5:11)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. \u2060Bulls Mavericks: Simon Schneller & Axel Roudil-Cortinat (04:19:03 | +5:18)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Women\u2019s Results | Stage 2 General Classification:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Cannondale Factory Racing: Candice Lill & Mona Mitterwallner (05:06:47)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. KMC Ridley: Janika Loiv & Yana Belomoina (05:13:44 | +6:57)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Efficient Infiniti Insure: Vera Looser & Danielle Strydom (05:14:18 | +7:31)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. \u2060Freewheel Cycology Absolute Motion: Frances Janse Van Rensburg & Hayley Preen (05:34:01 | +27:14)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. \u2060Absa Bell: Sarah Hill & Hayley Smith (05:37:46 | +30:59)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          For the full results from the Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Cannondale Factory Racing and Toyota Specialized doubled up on their Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek, presented by Biogen, success with stage victories on Friday, 9 February 2024. The wins are both the UCI women\u2019s and men\u2019s category leaders\u2019 second of the race. This sees both Candice Lill and Mona Mitterwallner, as well as Matt Beers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":66676,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[918,94],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-66671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-dryland-events","tag-tankwa-trek"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66671","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\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66671"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66682,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66671\/revisions\/66682"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66671"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=66671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}