Hot and windy conditions provided a tough test for the riders as pace-setters Pieter Seyffert and Travis Walker consolidated their overall lead in the TransCape mountain bike race today.
The Ellsworth-ASG duo survived a typically hot and dusty Karoo leg between George and Van Wyksdorp to complete the 135km queen stage – the longest of the seven-day event – in 5:30:24.
This keeps them at the top in an overall time of 8:50:10, comfortably ahead of Belgians Eddy Feliers and Kristof de Neys (Cicero Baik), who finished in 5:40:42 for a total time of 9:23:25.
The Ellsworth-ASG team of Travis Walker (front) and Pieter Seyffert consolidated their overall position at the front on the second day of the TransCape mountain bike race. The queen stage of the seven-day journey from Knysna to Franschhoek took the riders on a 135km ride between George and Van Wyksdorp. Photo: Jacques Marais
They were chased all the way home by David and William Wertheim Aymes (Bromance), who stopped the clock on 5:45:12 to remain in third overall on 9:27:55.
After creating a decent buffer on the opening stage, the Ellsworth-ASG team had planned to a conservative ride today.
However, that all changed with the competitive Walker quickly opened up a gap on Montagu Pass to separate themselves from the main peloton.
“Although the intention was to take it slightly easier, I got a bit excited going up Montagu Pass,” admitted the 25-year-old from Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal.
The 30-year-old Seyffert, from Helderkruin on the West Rand, joked that he would speak to the organisers about the pace his partner was setting and for “always putting me in the hurt box”.
However, he appreciated his teammate’s qualities, saying “he’s an awesome teammate, waiting for me on all the climbs”.
Seyffert, who will tackle the Cycling South Africa-sanctioned Bestmed Tour of Good Hope road race in the Cape Winelands next month, said the heat combined with the wind had made the lengthy stage a tester.
The riders faced a headwind for most of the day and then had to contend with the heat when they rode with the wind for the last 10 to 15km.
Although Montagu Pass was the major ascent on the day, Seyffert said the smaller climbs later on in the following hills about 80km into the leg presented more of a challenge.
In the men’s solo category, defending champion Billy Stelling made his presence felt, winning the stage in 5:40:46 to move in to third overall with an aggregate time of 9:59:22.
Belgian overnight leader Karl Dossche remained on top after finishing second in 5:51:23 for a time of 9:39:38. Alan Tilling completes the top three on 9:52:40.
Britain’s Catherine Williamson and Hannele Steyn (Spar) lead the women’s category on 9:23:24 after finishing the stage in 5:40:40 and Alma Colyn is still in front in the solo women on 9:41:04 after crossing the line in 5:44:54.
Hannele Steyn (right) and Spar teammate Catherine Williamson (second from left) continued to enjoy the journey on the second day of the TransCape mountain bike race. The queen stage of the seven-day event from Knysna to Franschhoek took the riders on a 135km ride between George and Van Wyksdorp. Photo: Jacques Marais
Matthias and Denise Kubli won the mixed section in 6:55:49 to remain third overall on 11:40:13.
Ian and Jane Seggie were second in 6:59:08 to retain their overnight lead on 11:25:00, with Craig Chidrawi and Charmaine Werdmuller third on the day in 7:06:56 to stay in second overall on 11:39:29.
The third stage of 81km will take riders over two major climbs between Van Wyksdorp and Riversdal.