Cyclists enjoy a great day out in Big 5 race

With a wonderful turnout, great cycling conditions and a cannon-shot start, a great day out on the tracks awaited the cyclists at the second Big 5 Mountain Bike race in Komatipoort.

In total 364 cyclists lined up to compete in the 10km, 25km, 45km and 60km events. All distances took riders on local farm roads through cane fields and citrus orchards and along the fence bordering Kruger National Park. There were reported sightings of hippo, buffalo, impala, waterbuck and rhino. Many groups of friends and families gathered to enjoy some of what the Lowveld has to offer.

This year the race coincided with the Komatipoort Prawn Festival. Every participant of the 10km to 60km distances was given an entrance band to the festival, which was where the raced finished, centre stage. This ensured that supporters were able to enjoy all the festival had to offer, while the cyclists were out having fun.

A 1km fun ride was held for preschoolers half an hour before the 60km riders set off, so that parents could enjoy seeing them being part of the day. The only requirement was that they start the race on or in something with wheels. They were all rewarded with finisher medals which resulted in big smiles. Reghardt Small was the winner in this race, and proudly announced this fact at the finishing line.

Dirk Lourens, winner of the 60km race, said what made the route challenging, was the fact that you were working in the saddle for the entire distance. There were no significant climbs, and no free-wheeling stretches to rest and catch your breath. A sprint finish between four riders, ensured a thrilling end for all the spectators. A mere three seconds separated the first and third finishers! Lourens finished the 60km in a time of 2:11:44 and the first lady in, Ananda Bosch, who rode a great race, finished in 2:25:05.

The 45km distance was hotly contested in both the men and women’s categories. The winning man, Willie Horn, came in just 22 seconds ahead of second place in a time of 1:32:33. The women were separated by even less. The winning lady, Vivienne Turvey, beat the second female by just three seconds in a time of 1:53:29.

The 25km distance also had determined finishers with the leading man, Kobus Groenewald, finishing in 50:22 and the first lady home, Liana Duggan, in 1:01:42.

With the 10km mostly comprising younger participants, some with their parents, and riders new to doing a race, the atmosphere was more relaxed and social. This didn’t prevent them from doing their best with the first male, 10-year-old Jooste Coetzee, home in 23 min 30 sec and the first lady, Sunet Smit, a pregnant mother, in 25:27.

Participants agreed that the natural beauty of the routes, the organisation of the race and the family-friendly routes, made this a event one to which they would return year after year.

To view results, go to www.racetime.co.za

Komatipoort Akademie would like to thank all their sponsors, (espescially to Komati Superspar, )the volunteers, the land owners, organizers and last, but not least, the participants. Without all this support, the race could not have been the great success that it was. According to one of the organizers, Avril Pretorius, The Big 5 MTB race will definitely be back, bigger and better in 2015. “To keep up to date on all developments and information find us on www.facebook.com/big5race or on the school’s website https://www.komaties.co.za/BIG5MTBRace.aspx