Erik Kleinhans and Matt Beers won the men’s team race on the second day of Gravel & Grape Extreme MTB Challenge at ATKV Goudini Spa in Rawsonville today.
Despite Beers suffering a crash at around 10km into the race, Kleinhans and Beers, who also took the victory on the first day, crossed the finish line in 3:00:07 to beat Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse and Robert Hobson (3:02:06).
Third on the day in a time of 3:04:38 were Alexander Rohrer and Martin Freyer.
The crash from Beers, which damaged his saddle and caused the team to make on-site repairs, allowed Esterhuyse and Hobson to take the lead, building a three-minute gap.
Kleinhans and Beers chased hard to catch up with the leading team and only passed them on the day’s biggest climb at approximately 15km before the finish.
“We worked hard on that climb to catch the guys,” said Kleinhans,
“Then once we caught them, we rode together for a bit, but I think they blew quite badly because they just disappeared.
“The route was quite technical, but lots of fun and it was another ‘lekker’ day.”
The women’s team event was won by Nicky Giliomee and Catherine Williamson in 3:46:41.
They were followed by Courteney Webb and Christie Hearder (4:00:58) with Estie Potgieter and Liza-Mari Giliomee (4:10:32) in third.
Louis Goldberg and Leana de Jager took the victory in the mixed category when they finished the 68km race in 3:55:00.
Nichol Jordaan and Jana Kruger came in only eight seconds behind the leading team, with Luke Lockhart-Ross and Marianne Bergli finishing third in 4:01:19.
Matt Beers (left) and Erik Kleinhans won the second day of the Gravel & Grape Extreme MTB Challenge today. Photo: twitter.com/gravelandgrape
Here follow more results and the general classification after the second day:
Stage two results
68km
Men teams
1. Erik Kleinhans, Matt Beers (Kleinhans & Beers) 3:00:07
2. Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse, Robert Hobson (BREEDENET) 3:02:06
3. Alexander Rohrer, Martin Freyer (Alex & Martin) 3:04:38
Women teams
1. Nicky Giliomee, Catherine Williamson (Junto Ladies) 3:46:41
2. Courteney Webb, Christie Hearder (Super Socks Squared) 4:00:58
3. Estie Potgieter, Liza-Mari Giliomee (Cycleworld Plasies) 4:10:32
Mixed teams
1. Louis Goldberg, Leana de Jager (Baphumelele Children’s Home) 3:55:00
2. Nichol Jordaan, Jana Kruger (Hansie en Grietjie) 3:55:08
3. Luke Lockhart-Ross, Marianne Bergli (Ciovita) 4:01:19
General classification
Men teams
1. Erik Kleinhans, Matt Beers (Kleinhans & Beers) 5:55:30
2. Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse, Robert Hobson (BREEDENET) 6:04:44
3. Alexander Rohrer, Martin Freyer (Alex & Martin) 6:14:22
Women teams
1. Nicky Giliomee, Catherine Williamson (Junto Ladies) 7:28:33
2. Courteney Webb, Christie Hearder (Super Socks Squared) 7:49:11
3. Estie Potgieter, Liza-Mari Giliomee (Cycleworld Plasies) 8:22:06
Mixed teams
1. Louis Goldberg, Leana de Jager (Baphumelele Children’s Home) 7:47:40
2. Nichol Jordaan, Jana Kruger (Hansie en Grietjie) 7:51:16
3. Luke Lockhart-Ross, Marianne Bergli (Ciovita) 8:02:11
