Francois de Jager and Megan Botha conquer muddy mayhem to claim wins at Sappi Mankele Challenge

Francois de Jager was the first male to cross the finish line at the 2024 Sappi Mankele Challenge on Saturday April 6.

Heavy overnight rain and intermittent drizzle during the 15km, 35km and 50km races made for treacherous conditions.

The already challenging Mankele race routes’ single track and forestry roads, now soaked by the rain of the past few weeks, turned into muddy mush and the granite outcrops were extremely slippery.

The mountain bikers were pushed to their limits to complete the three races under unusually demanding conditions.

Mud-splattered riders on their mud-caked bikes crossed the finish line with relief and a sense of extreme achievement, having conquered Mankele and the course conditions.

ALSO READ: 70% of tickets already sold for Springboks’ clash with Argentina in Mbombela

De Jager clocked 02:08:24 to take overall honours and win the junior male category. Gawie Combrink finished second overall and won the subvets category in 02:08:26. Just two seconds over 50km separated the youngster and the man 20 years his senior.

The third man to cross the finish line and the second in the junior male category was Seth Watts, who was also crowned king of the mountains.

In the female’s 50km race, Megan Botha reigned supreme. Her time of 02:37:15 secured her first place overall and the junior female title. She was also queen of the mountains.

Danel de Jager was second overall and the winner of the youth female category in 02:40:16.

Third place overall and first place in the subvets category went to Chantel Weyers in 02:45:20.

50km category winners
Female
• Youth: Danel de Jager – 02:40:16
• Junior: Megan Botha – 02:37:15
• Senior: Ané Jacobs – 03:14:37
• Subvet: Chantal Weyers – 02:45:20
• Vet: Yolande Jacobs – 03:16:23
• Master: Pierette Labuschagne – 02:5:34
• Grandmaster: Corné Ackermann (e-bike) – 02:32:27
Male
• Youth: Janco van Staden – 02:33:24
• Junior: Francois de Jager – 02:08:24
• U23: Christiaan Smit – 02:21:41
• Senior: Dewald Coetzee – 02:18:00
• Subvet: Gawie Combrink – 02:08:26
• Vet: Morné Jacobs – 02:22:53
• Master: Adriaan Labuschagne – 02:25:22
• Grandmaster: George Bell – 03:04:23.
35km category winners
Female
• Subjunior: Maya de Vries (1st overall) – 01:37:27
• Youth: Jana Kotze – 01:42:30
• Senior: Mia Putter – 01:52:26
• Subvet: Anina Bohmer – 02:22:21
• Vet: Vicky Field – 02:08:45
• Master: Cara Maré – 02:02:50
Male
• Subjunior: Zander Ferreira (1st overall) – 01:33:29
• Youth: Shaun Kunze – 01:36:26
• Senior: Bawethu Dhlamini – 01:58:55
• Subvets: Charl du Plessis – 02:02:55
• Vets: Gideon Broodryk – 01:48:01
• Master: Johannes van der Walt – 01:44:51
• Grandmaster: Frikkie Ueckermann – 01:58:16.
15km category winners
Female
• Nipper: Yvonne Louw – 01:38:21
• Sprog: René Rautenbach – 00:59:54
• Open: Imke Knipschild (1st overall) – 00:52:45
Male
• Nipper: Noah Wait – 00:52:31
• Sprog: Louis Coetzee (1st overall) – 00:42:09
• Open: Sinhle Sithole – 00:49:30.