The Berg and Bush ‘Descent’ mountain bike race, the first of three other Berg and Bush events, started on top of the Drakensberg at the Windmill Farm in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.
View some of the race action from each stage below.
Photos courtesy of Em Gatland and Volume Photography/Tobias Ginsberg
Stage one
The opening stage consisted of a 98km route that offered some scenic views from single-track sections, irrigation and beef farms.
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- An image of a child reaching out to one of the cyclists during the opening stage of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’ in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. Photo: Em Gatland
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- Riders got to enjoy some incredible scenery on stage one of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’ in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. Photo: Em Gatland
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- A rider crosses a bridge during stage one of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’ in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. Photo: Em Gatland
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- Philip Buys of Pyga-Euro Steel leads a group of riders during stage one of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’ in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. Photo: Volume Photography/Tobias Ginsberg
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- Theresa Ralph pictured before the start of stage one of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’ in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. Photo: Volume Photography/Tobias Ginsberg
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- Pyga-Euro Steel’s Matthys Beukes, pictured here during last year’s Berg & Bush ‘Descent’, won the 80km feature race at the Sabie Classic in Mpumalanga today. Photo: Volume Photography/Tobias Ginsberg
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- Team dormakaba taking a picture ahead of stage one of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’ in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. Photo: Volume Photography/Tobias Ginsberg
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- An image of some of the single-track riders got to enjoy on stage one of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’ in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. Photo: Volume Photography/Tobias Ginsberg
Stage two
The second stage comprised a 62km route through the bushveld. Riders took on many single-track sections created by cattle and game farmers in the area, before they crossed the big Tugela River on a suspension bridge en-route to the finish.
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- Aerial shot of cyclist moving through and between cattle tracks during stage two of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
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- A rider showing elation and enjoyment during stage two of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
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- A long line of cyclists stretched out on a dusty section during stage two of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
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- A couple of riders moving through a dry section during stage two of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
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- Riders charging forward during stage two of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
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- A rider crossing a suspension bridge on the Tugela River during stage two of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
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- A rider moving through a dense forest section in stage two of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
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- PYGA Euro Steel’s Matthys Beukes leading the way during stage two of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
Stage three
The 48km final stage went up the decisive Spioenkop climb approximately 15km before the finish. It started off by crossing the Tugela River twice, which was followed by single track sections through the ravines of Grootehoek.
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- Women’s team podium: Team dormakaba SA’s Amy McDougall and Samantha Sanders in first (middle), flanked by Bell Equipment’s Hayley Smith and Christie Hearder in second (left) and De Natte Boer’s Andrea de Boer and Elmari de Wet in third (right). Photo: Em Gatland/Nikon
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- Riders moving swiftly down a descent during stage three of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Em Gatland/Nikon
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- Riders awaiting the start of stage three of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Em Gatland/Nikon
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- Riders surging ahead during stage three of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Em Gatland/Nikon
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- Men’s team podium: PYGA Euro Steel’s Matthys Beukes and Philip Buys in first (middle), flanked by NAD Pro’s Matt Beers and Nico Bell in second (left) and NAD Pro 1’s Gawie Combrinck and Wessel Botha in third (right). Photo: Em Gatland/Nikon
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- Some spectacular wildlife was spotted during stage three of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Em Gatland/Nikon
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- A bird’s eye-view of riders in action during stage three of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Em Gatland/Nikon
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- Winning men’s pair Matthys Beukes and Philip Buys taking on a ramp during stage three of the Berg and Bush ‘Descent’. Photo: Em Gatland/Nikon
