The evergreen Andrew Hill started the defence of his Drak Descent title in fine style when he escaped early on stage one to ride to a comfortable victory near Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal today.
He completed the undulating 43km course in 1:52:36 and was followed home by Phillimon Sebona (1:54:36) and Brennan Anderson (1:55:04).
“The Drak Descent is always a really good, fast start,” said the three-time champion. “I think I was second wheel into the base of the first climb and accelerated up there.”
The TIB Insurance star, who was joined by PYGA Euro Steel’s Pieter du Toit and Matthys Beukes who were competing in the team category, said his focus from that point on was just to maintain the gap.
“So that was the initial move of the day and from there I just had to keep my pace up.”
Hill, who turns 38 in March, said knowing the route from previous years helped his cause and a few drops of rain overnight left the course in a relatively good condition for racing.
“There was a tacky sort of traction. It didn’t have that marble effect on the loose gravel, but we didn’t have mud so it was perfect.”
He said he knew it was going to be a tough ride against Sebona (PYGA Euro Steel), who is building towards the Cape Epic alongside Du Toit.
“Knowing those three guys (PYGA Euro Steel) were gonna be here today was a wake-up call. My idea was to just make it fast from the beginning and accelerate on the climbs where I knew I could and then enjoy the single-track.
“The rocks really didn’t move from last year but a couple of the trails were a bit more rutted. At the same time a few of the trails were really well shaped.”
Hill said they expected more overnight rain and he predicted slippery conditions on the final day, “but it is the same for everyone”.
“Tomorrow is less single-track, but the first bit is slightly more technical, which is always good. Hopefully, some guys will have tired legs.”
In the women’s solo race, Hayley Smith (2:17:38) took opening-day honours. Yvette Roberts (2:42:55) and Sandy Boshoff (2:54:03) completed the podium.
Beukes and Du Toit (1:52:36) lead the team race ahead of DriveTrain Academy’s Tyronne White and Andrew Johnson (1:56:44) going into the final day. Chriestie-Leigh Hearder and Claudia Slattery (2:26:11) head the GC in the women’s team race.
The 48km stage, which includes 733m of vertical ascent, starts at Glencairn in the shadow of Sani Pass and finishes at Umzimkulu River Lodge.
