Bikers make light of tough G2C
16-year-olds shine to take first and second place in 58km race
The mountain biking community came from far and wide to participate in the 10th edition of the BUCO G2C from Makhanda to the finish line at Port Alfred Country Club on Sunday October 8.
The race set off in partly cloudy but pleasant conditions in front of the BUCO warehouse in Makhanda as riders tackled the 58km and 70km distances to Port Alfred.
From the industrial area and across the N2, the cyclists traversed Mountain Drive, down steep Toposcope Hill and on to the steep and windy tarred Woest Hill section, before the gravel Southwell Road.
The final stretch to the coast passed Sibuya Game Reserve and Riverbend before the Country Club finish.
The addition of the E-bikes that set off half-an-hour before the mountain bikes for the 58km race attracted attention, with 69year old winner and Grand Master Stephen Van Niekerk pedalling first over the line in 2 hrs 08 min and 20 sec, followed by Joseph Salter (2:09:32) in second and Robert van Quickelberge (2:14:52) in third place.
Tania Salter, 69, was first woman home (Grand Master) in the women’s E-bike category over 58km (2:26:36).
In the 58km mountain bike category, 16year-old Storm Semple, of Gqeberha, blitzed over the line in overall first position (2:14:59).
Semple came in just over 10 minutes ahead of second-placed 16-year-old rider Tian Diederiks (2:24:08). Brendan de Lange came in third in 2:28:48.
The muddy-faced Semple said though the race was a bit tough in places, he had enjoyed the experience.
“I enjoyed the hills because I left many riders behind as well as on the descents which helped me … there was just a lot of water everywhere. The first two hills out of
Makhanda were the toughest for me.
“And towards the end there were a lot of thorn bushes everywhere. It was good to be out on my own in front because you can take in the scenery and the beauty around you in that way,” said Semple.
Among the women riders, Gqeberha triathlete Madeleen Van Zuydam was first over the finish line in 2:31:45 in the 58km race. Hot on her heels in second spot was Sharlize Oosthuizen (2:33:14) and in third place, Jolene Rossouw (2:46:48).
Van Zuydam, quite remarkably, completed Saturday’s Pineapple Run before taking on the G2C the following day.
“My hammies are a bit sore, but otherwise I’m fine. I do triathlons so the cross-training assists me with the triathlons … I am so chuffed because it is my first podium place at G2C,” said Van Zuydam.
Venter van der Mescht, 30, of Somerset East, was greeted by his ecstatic fiancée, Ria Prinsloo, after breezing over the line in the gruelling 70km race in 2:34:54.
In hot pursuit was Justin Seale (2:36:30), and third in the men’s section was Wynand Scholtz (2:42:39).
In the women’s 70km mountain bike race, 22-year-old Kelsey van Schoor earned herself two remarkable achievements coming first in 02:37:26 – with that time earning her third place overall.
Second woman home was Nicola McKerrow (3:33:24) and in third Jennifer Petzer (3:50:34).
“It was a lot of fun. I actually decided only last night [Saturday] to do the race.
“I enjoyed all of the race … from the start I went out hard to split up the riders a bit and then I stayed with a group, dropped off and I slowly went ahead. I was so happy to see the finish as I was pretty tired by then,” said Van Schoor.
Tanya Jackson, of Mountain Events, who were appointed event managers for the race, said they were happy with the way it had proceeded overall.
“The wet weather leading up to the race was a concern, however, the routes are fortunately quite resilient and although it was wet and muddy the routes were still safe for participants,” said Jackson.
The finishing straight at Port Alfred Country Club was very soggy and heavy, making it a difficult pedal to the end.
“The Country Club is a fantastic venue for the finish, but unfortunately the field seems to take a while to drain after so much rain. The biggest challenge we had was parking, as we had intended to use the field for this purpose. Despite these challenges, we were very well accommodated by Foxie, the groundskeeper,” said Jackson.
“The route is definitely a highlight. It’s very scenic and there’s a great chance for participants to spot a variety of wildlife along the way. It’s also not too technically challenging with very little single-track, and this appeals to a lot of riders.
“It’s also one of very few point-to-point races around.”
Jackson thanked all parties involved. “The Makhanda Residents Association have done a fantastic job of running the event in the past and deserve credit for their involvement. The organising of this race would be an impossible task without the support of local businesses and supporters, in particular the sponsors, BUCO.
“Special thanks must go to farmers and Riverview Waterfront Estate who opened up their land for the race; the Makhanda traffic department which provide essential support in escorting riders safely, our three water point hosts, and prize sponsors.”
She said the G2C had been sanctioned as the Eastern Cape’s first gravel race, and the organisers hoped to grow this section next year.