Timothy Hammond and Matt Beers started Trans Baviaans as the favourites to win the ultra-distance event, but the pair almost lost it all in the final 10km yesterday.
The two were soon left scrambling to keep up with the fast pace set by the hundreds of riders that set out from Willowmore to tackle the 230km event.
Fighting not to lose the bunch, Hammond was able to make the most of the 23-year-old’s power along many of the flat sections.
Matt Beers survived his first ultra-distance event and topped the podium alongside Timothy Hammond at this weekend’s Trans Baviaans. Photo: ZC Marketing Consulting
“When we hit the climbs we went hard but I struggled a bit from checkpoint five to seven,” said Hammond, who explained he had been unable to keep down any food.
With eight hours of riding behind them and more than 40km to go Hammond explained the pair quickly started to lose time as the three-man team of Gert Fouche, Hansie Joubert and Jaco Ferreira (Bianchi) made up almost four minutes in 10km.
Beers said emotions were running high as the pair entered the final 10km with only a minute’s cushion between the two leading teams.
“We had created quite gap but then we started losing time as Tim got a little bit tired. At about 20 or 30km from the finish they (Bianchi) started reeling us in really quickly,” said Beers.
“At the last climb, the Mini Mac, they were about a minute from us and we could see their lights.
“I got a little bit emotional with Tim. Basically I said to him that we had to go and that he should just sit on my wheel.
“I went as hard as I could for as long as I could and we managed to pull back the gap to four minutes.”
Together they put in a big enough effort to get them safely across the line in first.
Fouche, Joubert and Ferreira finished second, with Charlie Mcfall and Etnard Louw (Madmacs) rounding out the men’s podium.
“It was great and such an awesome experience to be honest,” said Beers.
“I’m just glad I could back up my statement that I wasn’t going to take second.”
While the younger rider said he’d felt good throughout the race, his teammate said he didn’t quite feel the same.
“I was absolutely spent, I was so chuffed to get off the bike,” said Hammond. “Finishing Trans Baviaans is always such an achievement.”
The three-time winner said these eight hours had by far been the toughest of his wins.
“It doesn’t get any easier.”
Despite the hours of pain in the saddle, Hammond said he would undoubtedly be back next year for more.
“It’s a bit addictive. There’s something about it and I’m sure I’ll be back next year,” he said. “I’ll just need to convince Matt.”
