HB Kruger, who is currently second overall in the men’s solo race, feels content after finishing just over two minutes behind Matthys Beukes on stage five of joBerg2c at Clifton Prep today.
“After the withdrawal of Samantha [Sanders] before the start I decided to take the race as a good block of training for the rest of the season and it has been quite fun and enjoyable.
“Yesterday was super easy with great trails and I had a lot of fun.”
Kruger said they were four riders together for about 75km on today’s 118km route. It was him and Beukes, as well as Shaun-Nick Bester and Andrew Hill – who lead the men’s team race.
“Matthys went hard on one of the climbs and Bester and Hill dropped back. He opened a slight gap and I closed it again.
“We rode together to about 86km before the third waterpoint and Matthys put in a big effort on one of the steeper climbs. He rode away from me and kept it to the line. I just kept a good tempo to hold onto second.”
He added that he would see how tomorrow’s 97km stage, which travels from Clifton Prep to Glencairn Farm, would unfold.
“I’m here to have a good training block and some fun on the trails. I might even stop at some waterpoints to have some snacks.
“So far the experience has been great. I’ve missed this event the past couple years and I’m glad to be back.”
Kruger added that it had not been too cold and the weather had been playing along, which made the whole week more fun.
“We’ve had some muddy days but it’s not been too bad.”
Theresa Ralph, who leads the women’s team race alongside Sarah Hill, felt today could be named the queen stage as a lot of people were taking strain.
“Sarah and I had a solid race. We started a bit slower than normal but seemed to reel in the teams and solo men that we have been riding with for the past few days.”
Ralph said with today’s route you had to pace yourself, especially with it being mostly an uphill grind the whole way according to the profile.
“This is my strength and Sarah’s pet hate kind of riding, so this is where looking after each other and a partnership shine through.
“I love riding with Sarah and seeing how she wants to overcome her weaker riding points, despite the fact that they’re actually not weaknesses. She was a trooper out there and I’m looking forward to her looking after me in the technical stages to come.”
More results can be viewed below.
Stage five results
Men’s teams
1. Andrew Hill & Shaun-Nick Bester (Darkhorse Wheels-Insured by TIB) 4:09:22
2. Luke Evans & Craig Uria (Sage Racing) 4:27:14
3. Julian Gavillet & Ecoffey Sylvain (Sylvains Team) 4:27:15
4. Gerrie Beukes & Johan Labuschagne (Cool Beans) 4:29:20
5. Darren Constantinou & Craig Kingham (Team Sage 2) 4:55:55
Women’s teams
1. Sarah Hill & Theresa Ralph (Galileo Risk) 4:47:47
2. Auralia Edwards & Gina Wills (Seattle Speed) 5:55:00
Mixed teams
1. Michael Posthumus & Amy McDougall (dormakaba Mixed) 4:27:18
2. Ben Melt Swanepoel & Yolandi du Toit (Garmin) 5:08:23
3. Overney Corinne & Vincent Flueck (Ekibike-Dupasquier Sports) 5:11:50
4. Amy van Zuydam & Wessel Burger (FRIB – Mixed A) 5:23:50
5. Kirsty Searle & Des Searle (The Sixes) 5:26:27
Solo men
1. Matthys Beukes 4:03:43
2. HB Kruger 4:07:17
3. Deon van Vuuren 4:46:55
4. Riaan Weideman 4:46:52
5. Kristof De Neys 4:46:52
Solo women
1. Sandra Hart 5:04:09
2. Monica Glover 5:14:07
3. Yvette Roberts 5:47:37
4. Caroline Francis 5:46:10
5. Tracy Watcham 6:00:19
General classification
Men’s teams
1. Andrew Hill & Shaun-Nick Bester (Darkhorse Wheels-Insured by TIB) 20:07:45
2. Luke Evans & Craig Uria (Sage Racing) 20:57:38
3. Julian Gavillet & Ecoffey Sylvain (Sylvains Team) 20:58:42
4. Gerrie Beukes & Johan Labuschagne (Cool Beans) 21:26:54
5. Darren Constantinou & Craig Kingham (Team Sage 2) 22:35:02
Women’s teams
1. Sarah Hill & Theresa Ralph (Galileo Risk) 22:09:53
2. Auralia Edwards & Gina Wills (Seattle Speed) 25:41:03
Mixed teams
1. Michael Posthumus & Amy McDougall (dormakaba Mixed) 21:02:34
2. Ben Melt Swanepoel & Yolandi du Toit (Garmin) 23:11:40
3. Overney Corinne & Vincent Flueck (Ekibike-Dupasquier Sports) 23:46:02
4. Amy van Zuydam & Wessel Burger (FRIB – Mixed A) 24:36:25
5. Kirsty Searle & Des Searle (The Sixes) 25:22:22
Solo men
1. Matthys Beukes 19:53:24
2. HB Kruger 19:56:58
3. Deon van Vuuren 22:05:53
4. Riaan Weideman 22:09:11
5. Kristof De Neys 22:10:28
Solo women
1. Sandra Hart 23:18:21
2. Monica Glover 24:11:33
3. Yvette Roberts 25:23:14
4. Caroline Francis 26:40:49
5. Tracy Watcham 28:20:59
