Nico Bell and Robyn de Groot showed why they are among South Africa’s top marathon racers when they won the men’s and women’s races at the Nissan Trailseeker Hazeldean race in Gauteng.
Nico Bell reaffirmed his position at the top of South African Marathon racing with a win at the Nissan Trailseeker Hazeldean.
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Bell (RECM) pushed the pace from the start as a trio of riders that included SA marathon champion Gawie Combrinck and Arno du Toit broke away.
With Du Toit unable to maintain the pace, Combrinck and Bell worked together to increase their lead over the chasers.
In the end it came down to a two-man sprint between the duo from Nelspruit, with Bell attacking in the finishing straight to claim the win.
Combrinck claimed the runner-up spot with Du Toit rounding out the podium.
“I am delighted to take the win here in Hazeldean. The legs felt really good and I could ride my own race,” said Bell.
In the women’s race, De Groot (Ascendis Health) took her second straight win, with Theresa Ralph second and Vanessa Bell third.
With two more races remaining in the series, De Groot is a serious contender for the overall title.
