GEORGE NEWS - George mountain bikers Louw Moolman and Jacques van Staden claimed the top two positions in the flagship 85km race at the Ladismith Cheese 7Weekspoort MTB and Trail Run Challenge on Saturday 3 October.

Moolman (33) crossed the finish line in 03:19:34, and Van Staden (48) took second in 03:26:48. Theo Myburg completed the podium in 03:33:26.

Cool, wet conditions greeted the athletes at Karoo62Escapes outside Ladismith, where the mountain bikers and trail runners took on routes through the rugged Klein Karoo landscape.

The annual event, sponsored by Ladismith Cheese and organised by Chain Gang Events, is a community project attracting cyclists and runners from across the province. 

The programme included 29km, 43km and 85km MTB races, e-bike categories and 10km and 18km trail runs.

The weekend started with registration and a pasta dinner on Friday, while Saturday's racing was followed by prize-giving, rugby and live entertainment.

Chain Gang Events' Juan Botes praised Karoo62Escapes and its team for their contribution to the event. 

"The facilities, location and beauty are incredible, but best of all are the people. The team once again welcomed us with their hospitality, friendliness and efficiency. They play a huge part in making this event what it is, and we look forward to many more events with them."

The event has become known for combining challenging racing with spectacular scenery and the hospitality of the Klein Karoo.

Results

85km MTB

Yvonne van Staden won the women's 85km race in 04:05:26, just 02:59 ahead of Odette Guy, who finished in 04:08:25. Heila Niemand completed the podium in 04:22:20.

85km e-bike

Irene Swanepoel was the fastest in the 85km open e-bike race, crossing the line in 03:15:55. Anton Koch took second in 03:23:43, with Anthony Healey third in 03:25:12.

43km MTB

The men's 43km race produced an exceptionally close finish, with Danny Griebenow and the 15-year-old Xander Coetzee both recording 01:41:04, Griebenow taking first place. Daniel van Nieuwholtz was only five seconds behind them in 01:41:09.

Nicole Michell won the women's 43km race in 02:06:56. Esme Jacobsz followed in 02:08:33, and Etresia Griessel was third in 02:09:19.

43km e-bike

Lisa Daubermann took the 43km open e-bike honours in 01:18:27. Robyn Gwilt finished second in 01:19:44 and Anina van der Merwe third in 01:23:09.

29km MTB

Jaco Fourie comfortably won the men's 29km race in 01:21:41. Hennie van Rooyen was second in 01:48:00, followed by Alexander Rossouw in 01:53:47.

Mone de Bod took first place in the women's 29km race in 02:12:37. Fransiska van Aswegen finished second in 02:26:21 and Dianne de Carteret-Martin third in 02:30:39.

29km e-bike

Sunette Olivier won the 29km open e-bike race in 02:54:04. Janome Isaacs was second in 03:53:12, followed by Mike Ling in 04:20:37.

Antonie Krizm dominated the men's 18km trail run, winning in 01:17:18. Raymondo Rooi took second in 01:38:32 and Jan Louis van der Walt third in 01:40:17. Joanna Jayne won the women's 18km race in 01:59:03. Jacolette du Plessis finished second in 02:03:22, with Amanda van Zyl third in 02:05:35.

10km trail

Joseph Bantom was first home in the men's 10km trail run in 38:56. Barry Tito took second in 41:58, while William van der Berg finished third in 51:01.

Suné Wessels won the women's 10km race in 57:30. Jeandre van der Walt was second in 01:00:20, with Megan Theron taking third in 01:03:28.

From the back: Odette Guy, Andre de Villiers, Louis Visser and Frederick Stoeder on the 85km route.

Amore Galant and Keshia Hardien tackled the 10km trail run. Jacques van StadenSibongile Khabelana crosses the finish line after her trail run.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’