MP XCO#2 pushes riders to the limit

The challenging mountain bike tracks at Klipspringer Lodge in Uitkyk outside Mbombela tested the riders in the Mpumalanga XCO#2 to the limit on Saturday.

The hot autumn day sapped the competitors’ energy with every lap, and it was the fittest mountain bikers who claimed the podium positions.

Gerson du Plessis dominated the male youth race. He opened a 14-second lead on Janco van Staden on the first lap and stretched his lead with each of the remaining three laps to win in 00:49:37. Janco finished second in 00:54:21.

Shaun Kunze took third place in

00:56:08.

In the junior female race, Megan Botha was in a class of her own. She was the only rider in the field to clock a sub-15-minute lap, not once, but four times. She took first place in 00:56:43.

Megan Filter was second in 01:07:06.

She was consistent in her four laps, with just 13 seconds’ difference between her slowest and fastest laps.

Mia Putter had an excellent first lap, finding herself in second position. But she decreased her pace to eventually finish third in 01:09:39.

The MP XCO#2 was exceptionally well organised by 2D Adventures, and the facilities at Klipspringer catered for all the riders’ and supporters’ needs. The swimming pool was well utilised by many a sore and exhausted rider.

The MP XCO#3 will take place in Ermelo on May 11.

• Nipper male: Christiaan Prinsloo - 00:19:15

• Nipper female: Linke Schreider - 00:25:50

• Sprog male: Tiaan Wolvaardt - 00:31:13

• Sprog female: Leyla de Oliveira - 0:24:15

• Subjunior male: Brand-Reinard du Plessis - 0:50:41

• Subjunior female: Maya de Vries - 00:40:38

• Youth female: Lu-Mari du Plessis - 00:39:59

• Veteran female: Megan Barnard - 00:55:07

• Master female: Shirley Emmerick - 01:04:55

• Master male: Gerhard du Plessis - 00:42:07

• Grandmaster female: Corné Ackermann - 00:45:49

• Elite female: Laura Milne - 01:07:37

• Junior male: Eben Binneman - 00:56:22

• Elite male: Dristen Swart - 00:59:42

• Subveteran male: Derek Ackermann - 01:03:08

• Veteran male: Lawrence Scott -

01:13:02.