A classy field will be chasing substantial prize-money when the popular Liberty Winelands Encounter mountain bike race takes place in the Western Cape next month.
Presented in partnership with STANLIB, race organisers will offer a total purse of R100 000 for the three-stage event, which starts in Stellenbosch on April 21 before moving to boutique race villages at Franschhoek and Wellington.
ASG Events chief executive Wynand de Villiers said they had already attracted some top riders, who had entered as a result of the prizes on offer.
These include Sweden’s Jennie Stenerhag, who is currently leading the Cape Epic women’s race with Swiss ace Esther Suss.
Participants in the Liberty Winelands Encounter, in partnership with STANLIB, will be racing for an attractive overall purse of R100 000. Last year’s winners were Chris Wolhuter (left) and Craig Boyes. Photo: Full Stop Communications
“In terms of prize-money, very few events boast this kind of purse so we are thankful to Liberty for making this possible for the competitors,” he said.
De Villiers said the purse would be shared equally among the men’s, women’s and mixed categories.
“We live in an equal society, so we believe that is the way to go.”
The prize-money in each category will be R18 000 for the winners, R10 000 for the runners-up and R5 500 for the third-placed teams.
De Villiers said the race was also aimed at the riders below the pro level.
“The Winelands Encounter is definitely a race for everyone,” he said.
“You obviously need to be a relatively skilled and experienced rider to complete the event comfortably, but it’s by no means just shaped around the pros.”
Considering what was on offer, he felt the Encounter was good value for the entrants.
“The package includes world-class venues, the beautiful Winelands scenery and routes that don’t have their equal.”
He added that entries were filling up fast, with the cap set at 250 teams.
“To date we have 220 entries and there is a strong spread across all the categories.”
