Dewald Lotter said he was just glad to have survived after winning the gruelling 299km Waterberg Traverse, which finished at Klein Kariba in Bela Bela, Limpopo, today.
Lotter won the overnight endurance race, which had a 24-hour cut off time, in 11:47:36, beating Arnold Webb by 26 minutes.
“It was a very rough course. I am glad to just have survived,” Lotter quipped. “It was really hard on the bike and body.
“I am really glad to have finished and winning was a bonus.”
Dewald Lotter (middle) said he was just glad to have survived after winning the gruelling 299km Waterberg Traverse. Photo: Supplied
Lotter said the competition was stiff, but the conditions forced many riders to withdraw at the 206km water point, including Michael Chumbley who finished second last year.
“The conditions were extremely cold,” Lotter said. “Many riders withdrew at the 206km water point due to how cold it was.
“The lowest temperature I got was two degrees, while the riders that followed after me got down to minus-four degrees.”
Lotter said the pace was on from the outset, leading up to the big climb at the 150km mark.
“After checking in first at the water point right before the big climb I wanted to go for the King of the Mountain title, because they awarded a prize for it.
“The plan was to go for the KOM, tap off and then see if I had the legs to finish. But as I got to the top, Arnold caught me.
“We rode together for a long time until the 203km water point. The crates had not arrived by that time so we were in and out.”
Then at the 210km mark, Lotter surged ahead. “I just picked up the pace to ultra-endurance speed and he dropped back. I finished the last 70km on my own.”
Faced with such tough circumstances Lotter was happy to complete the race.
“Under the conditions I was very glad that my bike and body kept up. Many guys suffered mechanicals and my chain came off twice.
“I am bruised and battered and I think there was a bit of luck involved as well.”
Although the race took a lot out of him, Lotter plans to resume training tomorrow.
