Mountain-bikers from all around the world started the seven-day Liberty TransCape MTB Encounter in Knysna, Western Cape today.
Below is a photo gallery showcasing the action from each stage.
Photos courtesy of Robert Ward.
Stage one
The opening stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter took riders on a 71km challenge from Knysna to Wilderness. Team ASG-Ellsworth’s HB Kruger and Stuart Marais drew first blood to win the stage in 2:23:47. They beat Norway’s Eirik Fiskvik and Thomas Engelsgjerd (Team Happysalmon) by about three and a half minutes in the UCI men’s category. The UCI women’s category was won by TransCape debutants Janine Muller and Mari du Toit (Oakley Group) in 3:08:19.
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- A bunch of riders taking on a gravel road. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Pictured here is a rider taking on a track with a wonderful view. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Japanese cyclist Yuki Ikeda (left) pictured here during the race. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders pictured here showing acknowledgement during the race. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders lined up and posing for a pictures at the race station. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Pictured here is HB Kruger, who won the first stage with partner Stuart Marais. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders seen here taking on a wide gravel track. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders pictured here lined up and taking on a dusty gravel track. Photo: Robert Ward
Stage two
The second stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter took riders on a 86km challenge from Wilderness to Mossel Bay. Team ASG-Ellsworth’s HB Kruger and Stuart Marais won their second stage in a row to create a buffer, after crossing the line in 3:15:01. They beat French-German pairing of Antonin Marecaille and Julian Biefang (Chiru-Magura-Canyon) in the UCI men’s category by three minutes.
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- Riders on the charge at the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Great shot taken in between trees during the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Japanese UCI men’s team rider Yuki Ikeda getting a mechanical fixed during the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Pictured here is HB Kruger, partner of Stuart Marais, who both form the leading UCI men’s team at the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Stunning scenery showing off at the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Great motion shot taken at the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Low-angle action shot taken of a rider hitting water and a ramp. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders seen taking on wider, dryer and dustier roads at the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
Stage three
The third stage took place over 102km between Hartenbos and Riversdale and offered mountain bikers the chance to spot some of the Big Five within Gondwana Game Reserve. ASG-Ellswoth’s HB Kruger and Stuart Marais once again topped the podium to increase their overall lead.
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- A rider helps himself with some treats at a waterpoint during the third stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- South Africa’s Grant Usher and Japan’s Yuki Ikeda before the start of stage three of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Belgium’s Kristof de Neys smiles for a photo during the third stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An action photo of Pieter Seyffert, who won the event in 2017, during the third stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A scenic photo of the TransCape MTB riders during the third stage. Photo: TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- German Julian Biefang (front) leads a group of riders during the third stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Catherine Williamson in action during stage three of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of a rider pointing to a giraffe in the Gondwana Game Reserve during the third stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- For some riders, stage three of the TransCape MTB Encounter was a tough day. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A mountain biker shows some support to a fellow rider during the third stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of riders passing by a windmill on stage three of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Stage three of the TransCape MTB Encounter presented some wet conditions to the mountain bikers as they had to cross a river. Photo: Robert Ward
Stage four
The fourth stage, which is also called Duiwenhoks as riders had to make their way across the big climb, was contested between Riversdale and Swellendam. HB Kruger and Stuart Marais sealed the victory on the stage ahead of Eirik Fiskvik and Thomas Engelsgjerd. Third on day were Antonin Marecaille and Julian Biefang.
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- A rider shows some action on stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A smiling Jan Braai during stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Mountain bikers rides by some cattle during the fourth stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A rider waves at the camera during stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders cross a river during stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders got to enjoy some delicious lunch after stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of the bike wash that was available after stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An action photo of Julian Biefang (front), HB Kruger, Stuart Marais and Eirik Fiskvik during stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- HB Kruger (front) leads a group of riders on stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders cross a railway during the fourth stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of riders fixing a mechanical problem on stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Pictured here is a rider crossing a bridge on stage four of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
Stage five
The fifth day, which took place between Swellendam and Greyton, turned out to be an interesting one due to the stage being neutralised as a result of some confusion over the route. A farmer, allegedly, thought the riders had already passed through his farm and removed the route markings, which then fragmenting the race. Causing further chaos on the stage was a swarm of bees that stung the marshal on the lead bike, as well as some riders.
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- Thomas Engelsgjerd from Norway in action during stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Despite suffering a mechanical issue, the TransCape MTB riders still managed to smile for the camera on stage five. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of a rider passing by some old shelters during stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Japan’s Yuki Ikeda enjoys some snacks during the fifth stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A rider washes his face during stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter took place from Swellendam and finished in Greyton. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A rider helps himself to some lunch after stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of the start of TransCape MTB Encounter’s stage five. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of riders exiting Swellendam on stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders made their way through a farm on stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Mountain bikers had to cross a river as they made their way to the finish in Greyton on stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A different view to riders in action on stage five of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
Stage six
The racing continued on stage six as riders made their way from Greyton to Houwhoek. This stage is also called the Cape Wagon Stage since cyclists got to ride on the original route that was used by mail coaches, ox wagons and horse carts between Cape Town and the southern and eastern frontiers.
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- Hanco Kachelhoffer of ASG-Ellsworth in action during stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of some of the waterpoint staff showing some support towards the mountain bikers on stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter took place between Greyton and Houwhoek. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Mountain bikers were treated to some spectacular views on stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- ‘Thumbs up’ from a cyclist on stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter as he makes his way to Houwhoek. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders got to relax at the beautiful Howhoek Inn after stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A smiling cyclist before the start of stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders enjoying some coffee before stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- HB Kruger (left) and Stuart Marais poses for a photo before the start of stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of the sunny start of stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Team ASG-Ellswoth leads a group of riders on stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A friendly Grant Usher (front) during stage six of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
Stage seven
Riders started their 73km final stage in Houwhoek to finish the seven-day journey at La Couronne in Franschhoek. HB Kruger and Stuart Marais of ASG-Ellsworth were crowned the overall UCI elite men champions.
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- Riders make their way down the Franschhoek Pass to La Couronne Wine Estate on stage seven of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Two riders finish their seven-day journey at La Couronne Wine Estate in Franschhoek on stage seven of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- The final stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter finished at La Couronne Wine Estate in Franschhoek. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Pictured here are the TransCape MTB Encounter medals, which each rider received after they completed the seven-day journey at La Couronne Wine Estate in Frasnchhoek. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Stuart Marais (front) of ASG-Ellsworth in action during the final stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Frenchman Antonin Marecaille in action during stage seven of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- The final stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter took place over 73km between Houwhoek and Franschhoek. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A scenic photo of stage seven of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Riders passes a dam on stage seven of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- An image of Jan Braai during the final stage of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- A rider helps himself to some food at a waterpoint on stage seven of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
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- Janine Muller waves at the camera on stage seven of the TransCape MTB Encounter. Photo: Robert Ward
