Seizing the advantage from the first climb, HB Kruger stamped his authority on the Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic mountain bike race to comfortably win the 60km feature event at Rhebokskloof Wine Estate today.
The 25-year-old BCX pro from Paarl was home first in 2:43:58 and was followed to the line by Robert Hobson, who stopped the clock in 2:46:34. Jurgens Uys completed the podium in 2:48:30.
After not being held last year, Kruger said the Boland event, which also offered a 30km option, could easily become a major date on the cycling calendar.
BCX rider HB Kruger led from start to finish to claim the honours in the 60km feature race of the Paarl MTB Classic in Rhebokskloof Wine Estate today. Photo: Robert Ward
“There are amazing trails in this region and Paarl is a proper playground for mountain bikers,” said Kruger, who won the Liberty Winelands Encounter alongside teammate Waylon Woolcock last month.
“It can definitely grow because it is very well organised, the course is well marked and there is a great vibe here.”
He added that the Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic, which is presented by ASG Events and the City of Drakenstein, was no easy ride, with a total ascent of 1 700m.
“That is a lot of climbing for this distance but being from Paarl I knew what to expect so I went quite hard up the first climb.
“I built up a bit of gap and then tried to stay alert to what was happening behind me.”
Kruger said the conditions were dry and slippery, which meant he had to stay focused throughout.
He added that he had a technical issue towards the end when his chain kept on slipping off the jockey wheel, but was able to manage the situation.
In the women’s race, Capetonian Carmen Buchacher also took control from the start to ease to a comfortable win.
She clocked 3:11:51 to beat Team Bestmed-ASG’s An-Li Kachelhoffer (3:30:06) and Bianca Martinaglia (3:44:50).
After taking the lead, Buchacher said she maintained a steady pace, but added some caution on the single-track sections as she was leaving for Europe later in the day.
Rudi Koen took the honours in the 30km race in the Paarl MTB Classic in in Rhebokskloof Wine Estate today. Photo: Robert Ward
Like Kruger, she felt the event could become a must-do race in the future.
“The organisation was so good,” she said. “For example, they ensured there were enough water points along the way, especially where the sections were a bit hectic, so the general rider was well looked after.”
The men’s 30km race was won by Rudi Koen in 1:16:37. He was followed home by Fourie Fick in 1:22:06 and Bobby Troskie in 1:24:21.
Yolande Peacock took the women’s title in 1:55:43, followed by Marike Jordaan in 2:11:03 and Yolanda Engelbrecht in 2:30:22.
