Mountain bikers flock to GZ Adventures Mankele for the Mpumalanga Cross Country

With the inclusion of Mankele’s “Straight-up Jacob”, riders had to face a lung-bursting climb before descending onto Triple B which was, as always, a crowd favourite. But these did not seem to be a match for a name that has become synonymous with winning.

Willie van Eck claimed first place in the elite men category, and while not in the same age group, it was the unofficial battle between him and Hoërskool Nelspruit’s Luan Snyman that had the bystanders biting their nails.

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Van Eck finished the six laps in his category in 01:04;01, with his fastest lap being his first at 9;14. Snyman finished in 52;55 in the junior category which only consisted of five laps, with his fastest also being the first lap at 9;21.

It was with much anticipation that the crowd waited at Triple B to see who would emerge first. After the first lap it was Van Eck, but Snyman surprised the crowd when he took the lead in lap two and three. Van Eck was, however, quick to regain his lead, with only milliseconds separating the two. Snyman went on to win his category after lap five and Van Eck finished his sixth and final lap to take the spoils in the elite category.

Riders are now gearing up for the third leg to be held at Eagle’s View, followed by the finals on June 18 at Klipspringer Lodge.

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