Klopper and Mellet crowned Gauteng gravel champions
A thrilling sprint finish and a commanding women’s victory decided the Gauteng gravel titles in Midvaal.
MIDVAAL – Christiaan Klopper and Marzaan Mellet were crowned Gauteng gravel champions at Café du Cirque in Midvaal on Sunday, September 20.
The Gauteng Gravel Championships were held in conjunction with the 2026 Spring Fast One Mountain Bike and Gravel Challenge.
Klopper, of Team Nessa, won the elite men’s 142km race in 4:11:53 after edging Casper Kruger of the Luso ACDC Pro Cycling Team in a dramatic two-man sprint finish.
Klopper and Kruger broke away from the main bunch before the halfway mark and rode together before contesting the victory over the final few metres.
Kruger crossed the finish line just one second behind Klopper in 4:11:54.
Klopper recovered from a fall during the race to secure the title.
“This means a lot to me. The past few months have had their ups and downs. I changed teams and struggled to find my feet again,” he said.
“I really enjoyed today. I enjoy gravel racing because the races are extremely hard. It is similar to the tough racing experienced overseas.
“We do not often get this type of racing in South Africa, so it is great to have races like this.”
Klopper, who comes from a road-racing background, said he enjoyed the demanding nature of gravel racing.
Henk Venter completed the men’s podium in 4:25:40.
In the women’s race, Cycle Nation’s Marzaan Mellet claimed a convincing victory over 142km in 5:00:23.
Beverly Wingfield finished second in 5:03:09, while Taneal Otto completed the podium in 5:06:37.
Full results are available at https://results.finishtime.co.za/
