Urs Huber and Karl Platt kept their Tankwa Trek title yesterday after claiming all the stage wins over the weekend.
The Team Bulls duo won the final 89km stage in 3:05:34 to confirm their impressive form as they prepare to defend their Cape Epic title next month.
Switzerland’s Urs Huber negotiates a tricky rock section on his way to winning the final stage and the overall title with teammate Karl Platt at the Tankwa Trek yesterday. Photo: www.zcmc.co.za
Runners-up on the final stage, half a minute later, were Team Telkom’s Waylon Woolcock and HB Kruger with Topeak-Ergon Racing’s Kristian Hynek and Alban Lakata in third a further 10 seconds back.
The stage victory saw Platt and Huber extend their final overall winning margin to an impressive 8:55 over runners-up Woolcock and Kruger.
Rounding out the general classification podium was Team NAD Pro’s Nico Bell and Gawie Combrinck.
“I’m really happy with this win today. It is very good preparation for upcoming races and it shows our shape is really good. It is great for motivation,” said Huber.
“Today was very special. I know this stage pretty well and I know you have to be in front at the singletrack. As we hit the singletrack sections we always controlled the race, which makes it faster and more fun. The condition of the singletrack here is from another world. It was really fun to ride,” said Platt.
In the solo men’s race Frans Claes dominated, winning all three stages and the overall title ahead of Dylan Rebello and Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse.
