Team Jeep’s Pierre Smith and Thinus Redelinghuys claimed the victory in the world’s toughest single-stage mountain bike race, the 24-hour Trans Baviaans MTB Challenge, near Jeffreys Bay on Saturday.
Jeeps team’s Pierre Smith and Thinus Redelinghuys
Smith and Redelinghuys finished the 230km route from Willowmore in just 8:29:58.
They were followed by Vickus Boshoff and Etnard Louw of Team PowerBar 1 in 8:49:45, with the Aerocare-Proper duo of Christo Roos and Charlie Louw third in 8:51:18.
The extreme route took riders into the heart of the spectacular Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area and featured a total ascent of 2 540m.
“I can now talk from experience – the Trans Baviaans is extremely challenging,” said Smith.
“I think I bled through my eyeballs out there. Thinus’s support throughout the race was incredible.”
One of the highlights was the notorious Mother of All Climbs (Mac) up to the highest point at Bergplaas, which looms after 110km.
“It was such a relief to get to the top and descend into the Cambria Valley during daylight,” said Smith.
“At this point, we spared a thought for the riders that would be negotiating this in the dark.”
From the Cambria Valley, the route passed through citrus farmlands and along the banks of the Groot River before heading towards Humansdorp, and the finish at the Fountains Mall.
For more news, results and photos see Trans Baviaans.
