Cradle of Humankind becomes stage for Trailseeker round two
Elite mountain bikers and 2 000 riders will take on the challenging trails of the Cradle of Humankind in round two of the Ford Trailseeker Series.
As the cold of winter starts to bite, the Ford Trailseeker returns, bringing red-hot mountain bike racing to Gauteng’s outdoor playground, the Cradle of Humankind.
On Saturday, May 2, Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge will host round two of the series, where alongside 2 000 amateur mountain bikers, some of Southern Africa’s top talent will line up.
Riders can expect wildlife sightings along the route, with entrants sharing the trails with Marc Pritzen, Wessel Botha, Philip Buys, Vera Looser, Hayley Preen, and Samantha Sanders.
The game lodge, known for its singletrack, is located just half an hour west of the city. The reserve is home to wildlife including giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, blesbok and rhino.
The marathon course covers 62.2km with 1 321 metres of ascent, including a series of short, sharp climbs and the Raptor Rampage section, reaching a peak of 1 524 metres above sea level. Additional distances include a 36km Half Marathon, 19km Short Half Marathon, and a 9.5km Fun Ride, catering for all levels of riders.
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Elite men set for tight battle at the front
The elite men’s race features strong contenders including Pritzen, Buys, and Botha, alongside Felix Stehli, Arno du Toit, Jan Withaar, Jaedon Terlouw, and Keagan Bontekoning.
Pritzen enters in strong form after finishing 13th at his debut Lifetime Grand Prix race in the United States. He also sits highest on the Ford Trailseeker standings after placing second in the opening round earlier this year.
Other riders to watch include Pieter du Toit of Ford Prime Bunch and Unathi Nxumalo of Pump for Peace, while several rising talents will aim for top-10 finishes and potential upsets.
Heading into round two, Pritzen leads the standings with 30 points, followed by Terlouw on 12, Botha on 10, and Buys on 7. With 40 points available for a win, Saturday’s race could play a crucial role in the overall title chase.
Elite women battle for series advantage
In the women’s race, Vera Looser leads the standings by two points ahead of Hayley Preen, with Samantha Sanders also in strong form as the defending Cradle champion.
Looser arrives with momentum after a strong sixth-place finish at Sea Otter in California, while Preen returns from racing in the United States. Sanders, meanwhile, remains a strong contender after her previous win on these trails.
Challengers include Sarah Maré, Tania Bugarin Ortiz, Danielle du Toit, Roxanne Kemp, Karlise Scheepers, and Sancia Malan, all capable of pushing for podium positions, while Megan Boshoff and Luzaan Durand round out the elite field.
With mild winter conditions expected and temperatures rising to 21°C, organisers say conditions should be ideal for racing and spectators alike.
Visit www.trailseeker.co.za for more information.
