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MAGOEBASKLOOF MTB CLASSIC: Braving the mud with game faces on

As well as awards for the race itself, the race was the last of a series of six mountain biking events across the province and so Limpopo Colours were also handed out to those who have obtained the necessary points across the series.

Mountain bike riders from all over the province, including Hoedspruit, braved the cold and drizzle on Saturday, November 10 to partake in the 20th Magoebaskloof MTB Classic.

Clad in lycra shorts and thin tops, whilst onlookers wrapped themselves up in beanie hats and waterproof jackets, the adventurous bunch gathered for a chilly 07:00 start for the 20 km, 40 km and 80 km routes.

The relentless fine showers that had soaking the mountain trails since Thursday certainly made the route muddy, slippery and hard work on tired legs. Certainly, no personal bests were recorded but still the riders ended with mud-caked smiling faces.

Starting and finishing at Stanford Lake College, the race was as well-coordinated as ever. A lively MC set the riders off in good spirits and welcomed them back across the finish line, where hot coffees and cold beers were waiting. Mucky bikes were dunked in the lake at the College and mucky riders hit the warm showers before the prize giving ceremony.

As well as awards for the race itself, the race was the last of a series of six mountain biking events across the province and so Limpopo Colours were also handed out to those who have obtained the necessary points across the series.

Read: Local riders perform during gruelling three-day Magoeba

In the 80 km event, the first three men across the line and receiving prizes were Alan Gordon in first position, Alan van Coller in second and Tinus van Helsdingen from Hoedspruit in third.

For ladies, Shirley Scriven was the first to cross the line, followed by Alison Lingard and Theresa Lessing.

In the 40 km race, awards were given out across multiple age categories but looking at the combined results, Stanford Lake College learner Anna Elisa Gutierrez was the first across the line – an incredible feat! For the women, she was followed by Lara Dando in second and Christelle Coetzer in third. The first man across the line was 16-year-old David Pullinger, followed by Sydney Swart and then France Motshegoa.

In the 20 km race, awards were given out to the sub-junior riders only (9-14 year olds). The first three boys were Daniel van Coller, Carlo Steenkamp Drotskie and Angus Loughor-Ciarue and for the girls, the top three in ascending order were C. Jansen van Vuuren, Lilian Baber and Lianke Fourie.

Limpopo Colours were given out across an array of age categories with many students from Stanford Lake College and Merensky taking home certificates for the half-marathon series.

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