What a Peach of a win for biking duo

A CRACKING race weekend ended in victory for Jason Peach and LaraAnne Everts-Van der Venter as they claimed the 2017 titles at the annual Kempston Thomas River Mountain Bike Challenge held at Thomas River over the past weekend.

In the main 60km race Peach put in a solid effort to pick up his second Thomas River title in the absence of a number of big names who usually take part in the race.

“It was nice to win it again, the last time I won the Thomas River was back in 2012, so it has been quite a while,” said Peach.

“It’s quite funny that every year since then a Jason has won, with Jason Reed and Jason Meaton picking up titles, and with neither of them here this weekend I got the win.

“So the competition wasn’t as strong as it normally is but there are a number of riders who have been steadily improving and they showed that in the race.”

Peach finished in a time of 2hrs, 50min, 28sec, just over a minute ahead of runner-up Kobus Gouws, while Zachary Swart took the final podium place a further five minutes later.

“It wasn’t an absolute walk in the park and I had to put in quite a bit of effort,” said Peach. “But the result shows a slightly different story.

“I took a wrong turn with about 15km to go and did an extra 1.7km before getting back on the right track, so I had a good five- or sixminute lead before and by the time I was back on the course they had cut that lead and were close behind so it ended up being closer than it probably should have.

“But credit to the other guys, they did very well on the day.”

Overall Peach was impressed by the new course that the mountain bikers took on and confirmed he would be back again to defend his title.

“It was by far the best track that they have ever put on in my eyes, I really enjoyed it and was really impressed with the route this year,” admitted Peach.

“I will definitely be back next year, I haven’t missed a race since 2010 and I will try to defend my title.”

In the women’s race it was a tight race between Everts-Van der Venter and Shannon Kirkhoff and ended with the defending champ holding on to her title, taking the win in a time of 3hrs, 30min, 8sec, 31 seconds ahead of Kirkhoff, with Michelle Schlebusch third in a time of 4:25:05.

“I was very happy to get the win, it was a great race on a new course and I just really enjoyed the day,” said Everts-Van der Venter.

“I think I was quite strong on the day, but it was a great group of women riding, so was good to have a strong challenge.

“The weather was dry and windy at times but in all it was a perfect day for mountain biking.

“I will definitely be back, we have to support the local races and I always enjoy it.”

In the 40km race Kenny Dewing took the win ahead of Neville Demmer and William Leslie in second and third respectively on the men's side, while Sandy Schoeman was the first woman home ahead of runnerup Elne Owen and Ingrid Krummeck in third.

The 19km ride then saw young Kirsten Nash take the overall win and first female across the line, with Joshua Coetzer close behind taking the win on the male side.

Simon Wylde and Leila Greyling were then the men’s and women’s champs in the 12km ride.

In all an enjoyable event was held once again and mountain bikers will now look forward to the next Thomas River race next year.