Erik Kleinhans and Matt Beers dominated throughout the Gravel & Grape Extreme MTB Challenge, which finished at ATKV Goudini Spa after 50km today.
The Topeak Ergon/RED-E pair took second place on the day and the overall win, in 7:59:31, at their first attempt.
Second place overall went to BREEDENET’s Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse and Robert Hobson in 8:08:39, while Alexander Rohrer and Martin Freyer rounded out the podium in 8:22:23.
First over the line on the third stage was Jurgens Uys and Nicols Carstens, but as they had withdrawn on stage two, they were out of contention in the racing.
The stage winners for the day were Esterhuyse and Hobson in 2:03:54, with Kleinhans and Beers home in second in 2:03:58. Third went to Rohrer and Freyer in 2:08:01.
“We had no need to ride hard today because of our comfortable lead, so we just rode with Charl-Pierre and Robert for the whole day, and let them take the stage win at the end,” said Kleinhans.
“Our aim was simply to have a good time and get to the finish without any hassles. Matt and I both had a lot of fun.”
Here follows results and the general classification after the third day:
Stage three results
50km
Men teams
1. Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse, Robert Hobson (BREEDENET) 2:03:54
2. Erik Kleinhans, Matt Beers (Kleinhans & Beers) 2:03:58
3. Alexander Rohrer, Martin Freyer (Alex & Martin) 2:08:01
Women teams
1. Nicky Giliomee, Catherine Williamson (Junto Ladies) 2:30:55
2. Courteney Webb, Christie Hearder (Super Socks Squared) 2:35:54
3. Estie Potgieter, Liza-Mari Giliomee (Cycleworld Plasies) 2:44:51
Mixed teams
1. Louis Goldberg, Leana de Jager (Baphumelele Children’s Home) 2:35:13
2. Luke Lockhart-Ross, Marianne Bergli (Ciovita) 2:36:39
3. Nichol Jordaan, Jana Kruger (Hansie en Grietjie) 2:39:59
General classification
Men teams
1. Erik Kleinhans, Matt Beers (Kleinhans & Beers) 7:59:31
2. Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse, Robert Hobson (BREEDENET) 8:08:39
3. Alexander Rohrer, Martin Freyer (Alex & Martin) 8:22:23
Women teams
1. Nicky Giliomee, Catherine Williamson (Junto Ladies) 9:59:28
2. Courteney Webb, Christie Hearder (Super Socks Squared) 10:25:05
3. Estie Potgieter, Liza-Mari Giliomee (Cycleworld Plasies) 11:06:57
Mixed teams
1. Louis Goldberg, Leana de Jager (Baphumelele Children’s Home) 10:22:53
2. Nichol Jordaan, Jana Kruger (Hansie en Grietjie) 10:31:15
3. Luke Lockhart-Ross, Marianne Bergli (Ciovita) 10:38:50
