Riders take on the elements at iSimangaliso four-day MTB Challenge
The staged race started last Thursday and finished on Sunday
RIDERS participating in this year’s iSimangaliso four-day MTB Challenge had to endure tough weather conditions as they traversed the 277km from uMhkuze Game Reserve to St Lucia.
The staged race started last Thursday and finished on Sunday.
Day one saw the riders complete a circular 57km route through the uMkhuze Reserve, as well as a stretch through neighbouring Lebombo Mountains communities who cheered them on as the riders looked for first day glory.
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The longest stretch was on day two, which ended at Bonamanzi Lodge 99km away.
Added to the riders woes was a strong wind which saw riders taking much longer to complete the second leg than expected.
The weather gods had not given up yet on day three. The 73km from Bonamanzi Lodge to St Lucia via Western Shores saw riders having to deal with rain which fell on-and-off throughout Saturday.
Sunny weather on Sunday was a welcome relief as the riders took to the Eastern Shores for the final 48km.
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Overall male winners were the TIB Insurance Brokers duo of Eugene Botha and Andrew Hill, who completed the race in 12:47:10.
The first women’s team in were Bella Equipment’s Desiree Briedenhann and Hayley Smith in 15:08:50.
Results
Mixed – 1 Al & L (15:47:14); 2 Team X (16:22:21); 3 Pipet en Portret (17:09:15)
Female – 1 Bella Equipment (15:08:50); 2 Team Impi Girls (16:21:42); 3 Flower Power (19:57:23)
Male – 1 TIB Insurance Brokers (12:47:10); 2 Iron Fist (Bell) (13:34:13); 3 The Muscle Crackers (13:51:46)
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