Despite wet conditions, Pieter Seyffert and Travis Walker showed their potential as a new combination by taking the honours on the opening stage of the seven-day TransCape mountain bike race today.
The Ellsworth-ASG duo took charge from the outset to comfortably handle the tough 80km ride between Knysna and Wilderness in the Western Cape in 3:19:46.
Pieter Seyffert (left) and Travis Walker from Ellsworth-ASG set the pace on the opening stage of the seven-day TransCape mountain bike race that took riders over a distance of 80km from Knysna to Wilderness today. Photo: Jacques Marais
They were followed by Belgians Eddy Feliers and Kristof de Neys (Cicero Baik) in 3:42:42, with David and William Wertheim Aymes (Bromance) completing the podium in 3:42:43.
Their strong display over almost 1 600m of climbing will see the South African pro outfit take a handy lead into tomorrow’s queen stage.
Seyffert, who hails from Helderkruin on the West Rand, said their position would ease the pressure on them for tomorrow’s stage, the longest of this year’s event.
He said they were building towards next month’s Bestmed Tour of Good Hope in the Cape Winelands and were delighted with their debut outing.
“This is our first race together and it will be a good test to see what I have to do as Travis’s partner for upcoming stage races,” said the 30-year-old.
After some heavy overnight showers, the riders faced a gentle drizzle through much of the stage on the Seven Passes road.
Walker said while the weather made the route difficult in certain places, he was much happier in the cooler conditions.
“I don’t really mind the drizzle as I prefer it cooler than blazing hot,” said the 25-year-old, who has settled in Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal after a stint racing in Europe.
“The roads were quite gravelly and sandy, so the rain meant they were not that slippery and there was no dust from any vehicles going past.
Catherine Williamson and Hannele Steyn (Spar) headed the women’s category after finishing in 3:42:44.
Hannele Steyn of Spar was delighted to lead the women’s category alongside Britain’s Catherine Williamson after the first stage of the seven-day TransCape mountain bike race that took riders over 80km from Knysna to Wilderness today. Photo: Jacques Marais
The 34-year-old Williamson from North Yorkshire in Britain said she enjoyed having a partner after contesting the solo category last year.
“Riding with a partner is a completely different dynamic and Hannele is such an awesome rider,” said the former Cape Epic champion.
“We worked nicely together and she was always right on my wheel.”
Belgian Karl Dossche came home first in the men’s solo section in 3:51:23 after initially entering in the team category.
“Unfortunately my friend had to withdraw because of family reasons so I went ahead to ride solo,” he explained. “But I enjoyed the experience and we Belgians are used to riding in the rain.”
Despite taking a wrong turn and adding several kilometres to her day, Alma Colyn completed the stage in 3:56:10 to take the lead in the women’s solo category.
“Unfortunately, I took my glasses off at one stage to tuck them in my top and when I looked up I realised I was going straight instead of turning into the forest.”
Colyn said she refused to panic and merely turned around to find the correct route.
The second stage will take riders over a distance of 135km between George and Van Wyksdorp with 2 450m of ascent.
The 690km event finishes in Franschhoek on Saturday.
