The Sabie Xperience, deemed as one of the toughest and most beautiful races of Mpumalanga, saw Nohan van Tonder and Samantha Sanders take the overall win last weekend.

Absa Cape Epic puts local cyclists to the test

Sanders who is back on the bike after she was unable to take part in the Cape Epic due to medical reasons, defended her title in the women’s race, while Van Tonder won the overall men’s race.

This four-day race, based on the Cape Epic MTB stage race, has striven to offer an enjoyable, but challenging MTB stage race over a few days. The Sabie Chamber of Commerce and Tourism also aims to benefit local hospitality and accommodation establishments, retail businesses, charities and communities while attracting many visitors to the town.

The race consisted of 65 to 80 kilometres per day through the scenic Sabie and surrounding forests, and a 38-kilometre time trial on day four.

Intermediate open, youth, and junior riders could race one another in the team lite option, which was as usual, no “ride in the park”. The climbs were steep, longer and technically more advanced single tracks were offered to challenge each other.
The advanced amateurs and pro riders pitted themselves against the very steep climbs and technicalities of the much tougher and longer, legendary solo challenge routes up to altitudes of 2 100.

Van Tonder, last year’s silver medallist, took the spoils in a total time of 8:29:38, just one minute ahead of defending champion, Heine Engelbrecht, whose total time was 8:30:58. In third place was Emile Fourie, followed by JC Nel in fourth and Erick Heyns in fifth.
Saunders absolutely dominated the women’s race throughout all four days, and finished in a total time of 9:48:16. In second place was Marli van Eeden in 11:42:37, Alexa Ogilvie in 13:25:34 and Karen Pretorius in 14:29:08.

Arno Matthee and Mike Odendaal (Nelspruit Spoedniks) took the Team Lite Men’s title in a time of 4:43:20, and Yolandi Mostert and Melicia Labuschagne (Liqui Moly 1) took the female title in 5:58:58.

Darryl Thompson and Caitlin Thompson (Thompson and Thompson) won the mixed category in a time of 5:14:10.

Here’s some action captured by Stefan de Villiers

Here are the results:

Solo Men
1. Nohan van Tonder 8:29:38
2. Heine Engelbrecht 8:30:58
3. Emile Fourie 8:40:40
4. JC Nel 8:45:37
5. Erick Heyns 8:56:41

Vets men
1. Mark Fuller 9:29:37
2. Hennie Kriek 9:43:52
3. Johan Wentzel 9:59:24
4. Amos Kahn 10:10:29
5. Tim Capon 10:11:39

Masters men
1. Martin Buck 10:40:26
2. Paul Cannon 10:45:05
3. Fanus Eksteen 10:59:24
4. Paulo Do Couto 11:04:58
5. Clive Garrett 12:30:34

Women
1. Samantha Sanders 9:48:16
2. Marli van Eeden 11:42:37
3. Alexa Ogilvie 13:25:34
4. Karen Pretorius 14:29:08

Vets and Masters women
1. Bonny Swanepoel 11:05:50
2. Robin Sharp 14:27:21
3. Leentie Smit 14:28:04
4. Sabine Cowie 14:39:19

Teams (38km)
Men
1. Arno Matthee and Mike Odendaal (Nelspruit Spoedniks) 4:43:20
2. Christopher Robertson and Wessel Fourie (4Q2 Again) 4:50:08
3. Hannes Nel and Pieter le Roux (Malelane Superspar Peddlers) 5:00:07
Women
1. Yolandi Mostert and Melicia Labuschagne (Liqui Moly 1) 5:58:58
2. Carin Gouws and Renschea Niemandt (Westvaal Flower Power) 6:12:08
3. Lousanne Ackerman and Santie van der Westhuizen (Numbi Chicks) 6:28:03.