DAS Auto final series winner crowned

She took the number-one spot with 32 points, five points ahead of runner-up
Elizabeth Delport.
The last and fourth race took place at Penryn in cold weather conditions on Saturday. With the hail and wind that hit the Lowveld on Friday, more than 200 mountain bikers still showed up. The route is a loam track, so even with rain there is no mud, thus making the race very interesting.
It comprised a mixture of jeep track and single track with a few bridges and nothing too technical. With three distances – the 15km, 25km, and the 50km – there was something for everyone.
The youngsters, Mandie Swart and Kirsten Gillespie, finished first overall in the 25km with the only boy, Reinhart Viljoen, taking the win in the 15km.
After each event the 15km riders received a medal – this was mainly because it was for children and newcomers to the sport.
At the end of the series, five of the points for the best four are added up, giving the age-category winners, whereupon a medal and prize money are awarded in all the distances.
“Over the past year we have averaged about 300 cyclists per event. It is also gracious of Halls Property to allow us to use the land for sporting activities just outside Nelspruit. Mopani Pharmacy manned the halfway water point for all the cyclists and really went to a lot of trouble.
“There were also lucky draws at the last event and a specialised mountain bike sponsored by Bells Cycling,” said race organiser, George Bell.
It really was a great series and the effort that went into all five races by Volkswagen, Penryn Cycling, Bells Cycling and Jock Cycling made it a huge success.
“We are very lucky to have all these super events in our backyard. And, just think, next month is the Noon2Moon, then the Sabie Xperience. What a blessing and a privilege,” said Jan Delport of Lowveld Cycling.