Local cyclists achieve great results
Andre took first place and was crowned overall winner for Sondela MTB race
eMalahleni cyclists share multiple podium positions and Sondela MTB Race.
Sondela MTB Race was hosted at Sondela Nature Reserve on July 6 and July 7.
Saturday consisted of 2 stages a 40km and a 20km.
On Saturday the 40km stage started at 08:00 in chilly windy conditions.
Once the race started there was a short neutral zone where the top cyclists were pushing hard for good starting positions.
The 40km route is flat so race pace in leading bunch was fast and intense.
There was a sprint finish of four cyclists separating them by only three seconds.
Local cyclist Damion Gomez took first place in a time of 1:25:13 and Andre Potgieter taking a very close second place in a time of 1:25:14.
The 20km stage started at 11:00 not giving the cyclists much time to rest and recover their legs.
Starting conditions were now warmer but still windy.
The starting format was the same as the 40km with a short neutral zone.
The 20km route also flat produced quick times for the top cyclists turning the race into a sprint from start to finish.
First position went to Andre, second position to Damion and third position to Gert Janse Van Rensburg.
Sunday consisted of a 60km route that moves into surrounding farms.
Sunday’s race started at 08:00 with the conditions still chilly and windy making it tough for the cyclists.
After the short neutral zone the race started extremely fast splitting the field very early in the race.
The route then moved into the surrounding farms where there were steep rocky and technical sections to test the cyclists skills.
When the leading bunch made their way back into Sondela Andre made his move by pulling a nice gap over the rest of the field.
Andre took first place and was crowned overall winner for Sondela MTB race.
