Erik Kleinhans and James Reid finished their final race for Team RECM in fine style with a win in the FNB Wines2Whales mountain bike stage race near Onrust on Sunday.
James Reid and Erik Kleinhans of Team RECM in action on the day. Photo Credit: Volume Photography
They finished second on the final stage to claim overall victory in the three-day race in a combined time of 8:17:19.
For more news, results and photos see: Wines2Whales Race
The runner-up spot went the way of third stage winners Gawie Combrinck and Johann Rabie of EAI South Africa, with Contego’s Adriaan Louw and HB Kruger rounding out the overall podium.
“Hats off to Gawie and Johann for giving us a good go today,” said Kleinhans.
“From the start it was clear that they had a plan to make up the two-minute gap to secure the overall second place position.”
The women’s race belonged to Ascendis Health’s Robyn de Groot and Jennie Stenerhag, who took a convincing win in 9:46:19.
They were followed home by RECM’s Candice Neethling and Ariane Kleinhans, with Theresa Ralph and Samantha Sanders of Team Galileo Risk Valencia third.
Bigla Pro road cycling star Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio teamed up with husband Carl Pasio to take the victory in the mixed category in 10:07:05.
Andreas Studer and Carmen Buchacher claimed second in the standings, with Yolandi du Toit and Gordon Alan third.
“Today I realised that a lack in mountain bike training will definitely cost you,” smiled Moolman-Pasio.
“Carl rode really well today and pulled me through it. Wines2Whales is a great race and a fun way to finish the year.”
