Local riders once again get podium positions
Last Saturday the Wildevy MTB race was held in the small town of Burgursfort for the second year running.
Race organisers and owners of Kusile guest house Pieter and Driekie Hynes’s hard work payed off as participants raved about the quality of the riding and vibe of the race.
“It is very special and definitely worth your while to go there any weekend, get permission and do them over and over and over.
It is clear that the organisers went to a lot of trouble to make it a special event with a big marquis tent to rest our weary limbs.
A face cloth to wipe the dust from my face at the finish line is quite original. The food tent that had a stream of “boeries” and pancakes coming the riders way, did a very good job.
Pieter and Driekie ensured that riders enjoyed great single track and with 300 entrants, it is growing inpopularity.” Jan Delport.
In the 35km half marathon, a quartet made up of Franco Pelser, Moima Blessing, Martin Oosthuizen and Reyno Beukes finished within seconds of each other, eight minutes ahead of the closest contender. Pelser, Oosthuizen and Beukes, all of Team Valencia worked well as a team to maintain the gap on their rivals.
In the ladies race, Mandie Swart showed great form by taking the overall win.
Tyneale Terry took ninth overall and second junior behind Valencia teammate Mandie Swart.
In the 70km Marathon ladies race, Valencia’s Samantha Sanders came 2nd to Yolandi Du Toit by a few minutes.
Both ladies, who raced in the Marathon World Champs held in Pietermaritzburg a month ago, showed their class coming 9th and 11th in the field and beating their nearest competition by just under an hour.
In the 20km race, Ryan Terry won the race overall in an impressive time of 46:59, 6 minutes ahead of second place. Monique Swart took gold in the Sub Junior category.
The men’s race finished in a sprint between Lowveld Locals: Nico Bell and Max Knox with Ben-Melt Swannepoel of Heidelberg rounding up the podium.
Drieke and Pieter Heyns will definitely be hosting the Wilevy next year and expect an even bigger field of riders from across the country.
