3 Towers results & GC: Bell & Botha win opening stage

Nico Bell and Wessel Botha won the 75km opening stage of the 3 Towers mountain bike race in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, yesterday.

Nico Bell (pictured) is hoping to get a top result at the 3 Towers stage race which takes place in and around Mbombela, Mpumalanga, starting tomorrow. Photo: Craig Koleski

Nico Bell (pictured) and Wessel Botha won the opening stage of the 3 Towers mountain bike race in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, yesterday. Photo: Craig Koleski

Shaun-Nick Bester and Timo Cooper followed in second, while Willem van Eck and Lodewicus Breytenbach rounded out the podium.

Carli Cooke and Melissa Kretinger led the women’s race home ahead of Lee Ziervogel and Michelle Zulch. Tracey Reynolds and Val Bontekoning finished in third.

The mixed event saw Yolandi du Toit and Andrew Grobler ride to victory, beating Adrienne and Anton Moolman to the finish line. They were followed by Kirsten Gillespie and Christiaan Kellerman.

Gerrit de Vries was the first to complete the solo men’s race. Greg Davis took second ahead of Schalk Burger.

More results can be viewed below.

Stage one (Race) results

Men’s teams

1. Nico Bell & Wessel Botha (NAD) 2:41:47
2. Shaun-Nick Bester & Timo Cooper (Darhorse Wheels Pro Cycling) 2:50:36
3. Willem van Eck & Lodewicus Breytenbach (Progast Absolute Motion) 3:01:56
4. Keagan Bontekoning & Chris du Plessis (Jaguar-Dotcloud) 3:06:45
5. William Mokgopo & Clement Mabula (Triviron Project Management) 3:18:24

Women’s teams

1. Carli Cooke & Melissa Kretinger (Team Carli & Milly) 4:15:11
2. Lee Ziervogel & Michelle Zulch (Team Z) 4:22:19
3. Tracey Reynolds & Val Bontekoning (DMR) 5:48:25

Mixed teams

1. Yolandi du Toit & Andrew Grobler (Team Garmin) 3:24:04
2. Adrienne Moolman & Anton Moolman (Rotsvas) 3:37:00
3. Kirsten Gillespie & Christiaan Kellerman (Valencia) 3:51:35
4. Janos Kaszos & Olivia Forner (Salamander) 4:03:37
5. Pieter Russouw & Rusermie Russouw (Suck it up and be brave) 4:57:35

Solo men