The third and final stage of the 2014 FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Race got underway at Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw) on Sunday, 09 November 2014. Setting a blistering pace, riders needed to complete a 74km route that included tricky Houwhoek Switchback Single Tracks and the infamous Hamilton Russel climb, before crossing the finish line at Onrus Caravan Park (just outside Hermanus) where eager family members and friends awaited.
Christoph Sauser and Konny Looser of Team Meerendal-SONGO-Specialized/Wheeler claimed two stage victories and the overall men’s champions’ title at the 2014 FNB W2W MTB Race completing the three day MTB stage race in a lightning fast time of 08 hours 36 minutes 29 seconds. “It’s great to win my first Wines2Whales Race,” said Sauser. “In the past I’ve entered as part of a corporate team, while last year I rode with Sipho Madolo. We managed a 5th place overall. Everything came together for Konny and me this year. Every race is different. I like the character of Wines2Whales. Three days of real trail riding, not to mention starting in the Winelands and ending by the sea. It’s very cool”. Rourke Croeser and Travis Walker of Kargo Pro Team came in second, while Johann Rabie and Gawie Combrinck of Team EAI Cycling finished third.
Robyn De Groot and Catherine Williamson of Team Biogen Toyota / Asrin Cycling claimed the women’s team title completing the three days of racing in a combined time of 10 hours 08 minutes 03 seconds. “I suffered today,” said De Groot. “I literally just saw Catherine’s back. She was a great partner. I particularly enjoyed this race. It’s the finishing touches that make it stand out, like having wet towels on the finish line. Being the last race of the year, it’s really good to finish on a high”. Jennie Stenerhag and Candice Neethling of Team Cape Brewing Company / Time freight Velolife claimed the second spot on the podium, while Anriette Schoeman and Yolandi Du Toit of Team Africa Silks Garmin finished third.
Ashleigh Moolman and Darren Lill of Team Cannondale Blend powered by RED-E secured the overall mixed team champions’ title completing the three MTB stages in a combined time of 10 hours 13 minutes 44 seconds. According to Moolman, the stage was tough. “I was feeling my stage one crash today. Stage three’s route was nice, undulating with beautiful scenery. We are happy to maintain our lead. The Wines2Whales is an amazing event, from the organization to the food and the scenery. I really enjoyed my first stage race”. Mariske Strauss and Hannes Hanekom of Team Giant/Orange Monkey came in second, while Fienie and Kobus Barnard of Team Kromco1 finished third.
“The 2014 FNB Wines2Whales has been everything we hoped for. The overwhelming interest from cyclists around the country proves that this competition is becoming one of the most anticipated events on the cycling calendar. Among its many attributes, we believe that the routes and the camaraderie are some of the unique features which set the FNB Wines2Whales apart. We would like to congratulate all the participants and more importantly, the winners of the three stages,” Michael Vacy-Lyle, CEO FNB Business.
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FNB Wines2Whales MTB Race |
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RESULTS: Stage 1, 2 & 3 combined / 07 – 09 November 2014 |
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MEN |
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P_Group |
Time Day3 |
Time GC |
Team# | TeamName | Rider1 | Rider2 |
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1 |
2:51:37 |
8:36:29 |
480AB | Meerendal-SONGO-Specialized/Wheeler | Konny Looser | Christoph Sauser |
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2 |
2:51:35 |
8:45:04 |
3AB | Kargo Pro Team | Rourke Croeser | Travis Walker |
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3 |
2:56:00 |
8:54:35 |
426AB | Team EAI Cycling | Johann Rabie | Gawie Combrinck |
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4 |
2:57:18 |
9:00:14 |
45AB | Altech Autopage Pro Cycling | Hanco – Kachelhoffer | Chris Wolhuter |
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5 |
2:57:21 |
9:00:40 |
1AB | Team RSA Web/Dorma | Nico Pfitzenmaier | Renay Groustra |
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6 |
2:57:20 |
9:03:26 |
6AB | Paarl Media Elite | Dominic Calitz | Heiko Redecker |
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7 |
2:57:17 |
9:08:00 |
12AB | THULE | Tyronne White | Andrew Hill |
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8 |
3:02:00 |
9:14:35 |
7AB | Team PSG Contego | Jurgens Uys | Louis Bresler Knipe |
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9 |
3:05:45 |
9:16:37 |
486AB | Beanstalk Online Investments | Mark Moir | Neil Bradford |
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10 |
3:08:23 |
9:27:04 |
18AB | RMB CHANGE A LIFE 1 | Mboneni Ngcobo | Sthembiso Masango |
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MIXED |
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P_Group |
Time Day3 |
Time GC |
Team# | TeamName | Rider1 | Rider2 |
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1 |
3:22:03 |
10:13:44 |
2AB | Cannondale Blend powered by RED-E | Darren Lill | Ashleigh Moolman |
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2 |
3:20:40 |
10:25:23 |
31AB | Giant/Orange Monkey | Hannes Hanekom | Mariske Strauss |
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3 |
3:25:21 |
10:27:54 |
37AB | kromco1 | Fienie Barnard | Kobus Barnard |
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4 |
3:29:38 |
10:50:27 |
501AB | ChallengeYourself | Ariane Kleinhans | Albe Geldenhuys |
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5 |
3:40:01 |
11:05:03 |
429AB | Haaskat | Anneke Hanekom | Russell Lund |
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6 |
3:33:59 |
11:13:58 |
34AB | VA Food Market ASG Mixed | Aaron van Schaik | Carmen Buchacher |
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WOMEN |
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P_Group |
Time Day3 |
Time GC |
Team# | TeamName | Rider1 | Rider2 |
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1 |
3:17:40 |
10:08:03 |
5AB | Biogen Toyota / Asrin Cycling | Robyn De Groot | Catherine Williamson |
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2 |
3:18:58 |
10:10:09 |
500AB | Team Cape Brewing Company / Time freight Velolife | Jennie Stenerhag | Candice Neethling |
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3 |
3:36:03 |
11:03:21 |
9AB | Africa Silks Garmin | Anriette Schoeman | Yolandi Du Toit |
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4 |
3:39:10 |
11:16:23 |
36AB | VeloLife | Ashleigh Moffatt | Carla Van Huyssteen |
EVENT INFORMATION: FNB Wines2Whales MTB Events
Starting in the Winelands of Somerset West, riders crossed through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Adventure: 31 October 2014 until 02 November 2014
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Ride: 03 November 2014 until 05 November 2014
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Race: 07 November 2014 until 09 November until 2014
Stage One
Start Venue: Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West)
Finish Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Distance: 72km
Stage Two
Start Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Finish Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Distance: 67km
Stage Three
Start Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Finish Venue: Onrus Caravan Park (just outside Hermanus)
Distance: 74km
Like our Facebook page: Wines2Whales
Follow us on Twitter: @w2wmtb
ENTRIES for the 2015 event will open on Saturday, 14 February 2015.
About FNB Wines2Whales:
FNB Business and FNB Private Clients have made a joint commitment to sponsor the annual Wines2Whales Mountain Bike Events.
FNB’s ongoing strategy is to support local and community events that show the potential to grow. This sponsorship affirms our dedication to providing an experience that is beyond expectation, through a sport that continues to grow in popularity as one of the key activities in the South African sporting calendar.
The annual FNB Wines2Whales Mountain Bike Events are aligned to our belief that adventure is the heart of innovation and this is one of many platforms on which we seek to make a lasting connection with new and existing clients.
Contact
FNB Business- If your business is going far, we can help you get there.
Email: zak.sivalingum@fnb.co.za
FNB Private Clients – We help you grow, manage, protect and enjoy your wealth.
Email: nsolomon@fnbprivateclients.co.za
For more information on the FNB Wines2Whales MTB events contact 083 760 3158, e-mail race@wines2whales.co.za, adventure@wines2whales.co.za or ride@wines2whales.co.za or visit www.wines2whales.co.za
ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: Wines2Whales Organisation
