Mathias Flückiger and Ralph Näf won the Ramabanta Loop, the first day of the Lesotho Sky stage race, that took place today.
The pair finished with a comfortable cushion of six minutes between them and runner-ups, Phetetso Monese and Stuart Marais. Grant Usher and Jan Withaar completed the podium for the opening stage.
Frankie du Toit and Ila Gray won the women’s race with Marc and Andrea Böttger winning the mixed category.
Riders in action on the first day of the Lesotho Sky, a 59km stage with 1 850m of vertical gain, which was won by Mathias Flückiger and Ralph Näf today. Photo: Wayne Reiche
Day one – 59km
Men
1. Mathias Flückiger, Ralph Näf (Team Radon Factory XC2) 2:54:35
2. Phetetso Monese, Stuart Marais (Vodacom Lesotho) 3:00:01
3. Grant Usher, Jan Withaar (24-7 Security Services) 3:03:09
4. Felix Marvin, Marvin Augustyniak (Focus RAPIRO Racing) 3:13:08
5. Paseka Makhebesela, Teboho Khantsi (Standard Lesotho Bank) 3:21:55
Women
1. Frankie du Toit, Ila Gray (SAICA) 3:58:44
Mixed
1. Marc Böttger, Andrea Böttger (r2-bike.com MTN Crew) 3:36:13
Solo
Men
1. Graham Pearson 3:37:33
2. Mmeke Mapanya 3:53:54
3. Alexander Sio 3:58:42
4. Craig Fussell 4:03:47
5. Bradley Stow 4:04:06
Women
1. Siska van der Bijl 3:52:55
2. Anaa-Rosa le Roux 4:30:56
3. Brigitte Hofmann 4:47:39
5. Estie du Plessis 5:09:43
