Hill wins gruelling PE-Plett race
ANDREW Hill was crowned the winner of this year’s FedGroup PE-Plett Mountain Bike race after crossing the finish line in an overall time of 14 hours, three minutes and 28 seconds at Crossway Farm Stall in Thornhill yesterday.
In the women’s category, veteran racer Yolande de Villiers came in at 15:14.33 overall to win .
Hill, who came second in The Herald Continental Cycle Tour Mountain Bike Challenge last month, dominated throughout the four-day event, which started at Kurland Polo Fields in Plettenberg Bay on Thursday.
He completed yesterday’s fourth stage in 02:55.45.
The 36-year-old mountain biker of Hillcrest in Durban, who finished second in the Plett-PE in the team category last year, said he would be back next year to defend his title in the solo race.
East London’s Jason Reed was second in 14:46.11 and Cape Town’s Walter Kleynscheldt third in 17:35.22.
Team Mad Macs, powered by Hazz/Silverback Best for Sport – Declan Sidey, 24, and Shaun-Nick Bester, 26 – won the team race in their first attempt in an overall time of 14:15.04.
Although the solo win may have appeared a comfortable one, Hill said he had faced some tough competition.
“There was stiff competition as always, but it’s great to stretch and push yourself.
“I was basically racing with the team guys up front – Declan Sidey and Shaun-Nick Bester.
“The two guys were really strong. I tried to push the pace there and I managed to get away on the mountains and climbs. I pushed very hard on those sections. A lot of the sections that we rode on this year were the reverse of what we did last year, which made for some really exciting racing, especially because they were sections that I had not ridden before.
“As a race it’s always a rough one. I think guys come in and underestimate the distance and climbing, but it’s great to have a good solid four days of riding.
“It’s not your normal easy riding, it is good tough stuff which we really appreciate. It’s good to have sponsors.
“FedGroup has come on board in the last couple of years and it is great to see that.”
De Villiers, 45, who has been dominating the women’s solo race for the past three years, said she would like to see more participation.
“The girls must come and race. This is such an awesome event.
“This is my third race. I took a break last year and the year before that because the course is usually wet and you get so many mechanical problems and your bill is so high after the race.
“The organisers had the timing right this year. We had a bit of rain on the second day but that was fine – it’s part of the game,” she said.
Bester said things went pretty well for his team as they were able to achieve their mandate of a gold medal.
“Our plan from the start was to win overall. In the first stage we wanted to win the “King of the Mountains”, but it didn’t work out that well. Andrew Hill was quite strong,” Bester said.
Sidey said: “The race has lived up to its expectations, being known as a tough race. It’s great to add my name to the list of winners here.
“There have been some really good riders who have won this race before. So for myself and my teammate Shaun-Nick I am really happy.”