Local riders still maintain lead in race

Local rider Gawie Combrinck and his teammate, Johann Rabie tore through the open flats and single-track trails of the eastern Free State to wrest the overall lead on day three of the Old Mutual joBerg2c mountain-bike race on Sunday.

Leaving Reitz, the EAI Cycling duo put the hammer down on the 122-kilometre stage – the longest of the nine-day event – to take the win at Sterkfontein Dam near Harrismith in a time of 4:14,05.

Their efforts put the defending champions back at the top of the standings with a combined time of 12:21,19.

Overnight leaders Tyronne White and Andrew Hill of Avis Van Rental finished a distant second on the day in 4:18,09 to slip into the same spot in the general classification in 12:25,19.

The Altech Autopage Karan Beef pairing of Pieter Seyffert and Hanco Kachelhoffer rounded out the day’s podium in 4:20,19 to remain third overall in 12:27,38.

Despite the chilly morning temperatures, Combrinck said he and Rabie felt they had the legs as they hit the dirt after the opening neutral zone through the town.

“We felt good at the start so Rabie went hard just to isolate everyone. We knew that forcing everyone to work hard suited us because we’re quite strong on the long stages.”

As the major climb of the day, Mount Paul, loomed, Combrinck and Rabie turned up the heat.

“At the end we still had a bit left in the tank. And with Johann going super hard in the gutter, we managed to get a gap on everyone else,” said Combrinck.

Yesterday, riders crossed the Free State border into KwaZulu-Natal, finishing the 121-kilometre fourth stage in Winterton.

For the full results and all the highlights from the daily stages, delivered by Avis Van Rental, visit www.joberg2c.co.za. For updates, follow @joberg2c_journo or find the race on Facebook.

Stage 3

Men:

1. Johann Rabie & Gawie Combrinck (EAI Cycling) – 4:14,05

2. Andrew Hill & Tyronne White (Avis Van Rental) – 4:18,09

3. Pieter Seyffert & Hanco Kachelhoffer (Altech Autopage Karan Beef) – 4:20,19.

Overall standings

Men:

1. Johann Rabie & Gawie Combrinck (EAI Cycling) – 12:21,19

2. Andrew Hill & Tyronne White (Avis Van Rental) – 12:25,19

3. Pieter Seyffert & Hanco Kachelhoffer (Altech Autopage Karan Beef) – 12:27,38.