First timer wins Silverstar MTB challenge
“The course was fantastic, not too technical, but just the right mix for a mountain-bike race.”
Jan Withaar from Bryanston won the Silverstar MTB challenge in a time of 1:36:44.
He used his cross-country background to power to victory in his first attempt at the recent Land Rover West Rand Silverstar MTB Challenge. He took advantage of the technical sections on the twisty 40km course to establish an early lead and cruise to a comfortable victory.
Wessel Redelinghuys came in second, with a time of 1:38:05, while Josef Bester came third, with a time of 1:40:02.
Jan said he was somewhat surprised at his clear-cut victory. “In fact, before the start of the race, I went to have a look at the finish because I was expecting there would be a few guys together at the end. That didn’t happen, which surprised me,” he added.
Jan had expected a stern challenge from defending champion Henry Uys, but that battle never materialised.
“Henry initially sat back on the first climb to see what the other guys would do. Towards the top he upped the tempo and a group of five of us got away.”
Jan said he then positioned himself towards the front as they approached a stretch of gravel and managed to open up a gap on the technical sections that followed.
“I was surprised at how quickly the guys dropped off when things got a bit more technical. Obviously, with my cross-country background, that’s the type of riding we do. With quite a few twisty trails, I was very comfortable on the route. I was on my own after about 15 minutes and from there I just focused on keeping my pace as fast as I could for as long as possible.
You can enjoy it so much more when you don’t have people on your back.”
Jan, who focuses on the national cross-country events, said he used races such as this one to help him prepare during the off season.
The women’s feature event ended in a relatively comfortable win for Nadine Visagie of Cyclezone, who completed the 40km in 1:59:27. Petruschika Constancon came second in a time of 2:07:51, with Tanya Hartley third in a time of 2:10:50.
“The course was fantastic, not too technical, but just the right mix for a mountain-bike race. I managed to move into the lead at the start and did not see too many other girls, but I wouldn’t say it was easy,” said Nadine, who was making her third appearance at this race.
Johan Gouws won the 20km race in 1:08:57, while Chloe Gardner of Portable Shade took the women’s title in 1:13:31.
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Video: Cyclists braved the cold and wet during race
Bergfietswedren vir fondsinsameling
