Local mixed team take 2nd place
Local riders of team Bells LGE Midas, Dalene van der Leek and Igna de Villiers, partnered in the mixed category of the 11th Panorama Cycle Tour. They claimed overall second place in a time of 10 hours, 6 minutes and 20 seconds, after four stages.
Carla and Stefan Oberholzer (Clover Prestigio Mixed) made the most of the tour to claim the first position in 09:52,10.
The Queen stage was yet another long day in the saddle with some tough climbing. Van der Leek and De Villiers dropped back almost 10 minutes behind the overall winners.
“The mixed-team category was much more competitive than in the past. The Queen stage (day three) was extremely tough. It started at Casterbridge on the R537 towards Sabie, which is a steady drag including the five-kilometre pass to the top of Spitskop. We lost a lot of time on the Mbombela/Sabie Road. Carla and Stefan were the strongest duo, well done to them. We have raced hard and did our utmost best, representing our sponsor Bells LGE Midas in the Panorama with pride. This weekend we are riding the Sabie Experience Lite, before we travel to Glencairn Farm for the Sani2C in May,” said Van der Leek and De Villiers.
The iconic Panorama Tour is a must-ride and firm favourite among amateur racers. Fiona Coward, event founder and organiser explains, “Eleven years down the road and there is still enthusiasm and passion among the participants. We are always happy to see the same loyal faces and we have a number of riders finished their 10th and fifth years who received commemorative jerseys.”
Tandem team Samuel de Swardt and Brandon Downes (Complete-T) improved on last year’s record with 17 seconds, completing the 36 kilometres in 56,50.
Going into the time trial, the top-three teams were separated by a mere 60 seconds. The overall win was decided by the 36 kilometres out and back time trial with a 500-metre ascent.
The surprises continued with single-speed team Julius Cobbett and Carl Lotter (Team Two Guys One Gear) taking second place in a time of 59,41, and wrapping up the top-three positions were Adolph Krige and Barend Burger (Team Demacon) in a time of 59,56.
Yolandi du Toit, who has been very successful both on road and off, having added a few victories to her name, teamed up with Elmari de Wet (Garmin/Clover) in the open women category, placing second overall in 10:45,39.
JP Jung, who won the open men category together with Nico Bell last year, was hoping to defend his title, but had to withdraw due to his partner being diagnosed with a virus.
Ryan Terry and Demarco Pillay of team Galito’s dominated the Panorama Lite. This is a two-day fun event for teams of two. It is not a race but all riders get a finishing time and medal. The competitive urge still surfaced. During the first stage over 113 kilometres they finished with a time of 03:16,36, and the second stage over 80 kilometres in 02:17,01. Their overall time after two stages was 05:33,36. In second place Riaan Potgieter and Gavin Cowden of team Paratjie’s only managed to finish with an overall time of 06:50,47 – almost 90 minutes behind the leaders.
General classification after four stages
Open men
1. Adolph Krige and Barend Burger (Demacon) – 09:34,09
2. Jaco Ross and Barry Crouch (Student Racers) – 09:40,40
3. Timothy Thijs and David Humphris (The Prawns) – 09:44,16
Sub veteran
1. Johan Deysel and Egon Campbell (Token Manx Missiles) – 09:30,59
2. Mark Elliot and Matthys Koekemoer (Token 1) – 09:32,34
3. Julius Cobbett and Carl Lotter (Two Guys One Gear) – 09:40,24
Veteran
1. Steven Hayes and Luke Hardiman (Team SA Flyers) – 09:45,49
2. Warren Foyn and Desmond Reilly (Token 3) – 10:07,11
3. Ben Melt Swanepoel and Carel Bosman (New Vet) – 10:15,19
Masters
1. Rassie Smit and Jose Antunes (Lion & Ant) – 10:22,13
2. Dirk Nel and Jannie Schoeman (Clover – Good Fellas) – 10:48,05
3. Theuns Davidtz and Albert Roux (#CarsMustFall) – 10:54,01
Grand masters
1. Johan Spies and Pierre Van Hell (Cyclo Maestro’s) – 11:07,34
2. Johnnie Koen and Greef Moolman (Johnnie Koen Cycles) – 11:17,50
3. Elizabeth Szabo and Julius Ortner (Huffin & Puffin 2) – 17:57,08
Tandem
1. Samuel De Swardt and Brandon Downes (Team Complete-T) – 09:29,26
2. Petri Strydom and Stephan Reyneke (Clover Double Trouble) – 09:42,51
3. Jay Spendly and Werner Roux (Tandem Tuesday) – 10:36,51
Mixed
1. Carla Oberholzer and Stefan Oberholzer (Clover Prestigio Mixed) – 09:52,10
2. Igna De Villiers and Dalene Van Der Leek (Bells LGE Midas) – 10:06,20
3. Steve Cooke and Nina Sender (Bestmed Mixed Racing) – 10:13,20
Open women
1. Desray Sebregts and Annette Loubser (Deznet) – 10:34,54
2. Elmari De Wet and Yolandi du Toit (Garmin/Clover) – 10:45,39
3. Nicolene Naude and Machelle Bremer (Pout) – 11:39,42.
