More than 2 000 riders braved the longer 40km and 55km routes during the 15th annual Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge, held at Le Bonheur Wine Estate yesterday.
James Reid, of Team Spur, and Jennie Stenerhag claimed top spots.
Despite fires, which threatened the Greater Simonsberg Conservancy Area recently, 85 percent of the original route has been maintained, according to route designer Meurant Botha.
“We had to re-route a couple of sections because of it, but it didn’t affect water point placements so we were fortunate that we didn’t have to redesign the course,” he said.
“We also made a change or two to cut out a couple of climbs, so I think it rode a little bit easier.”
The slightly changed route may have been something of a blessing in disguise as the temperatures rose to 41°C on some of the riders’ bike computers.
Reid, who raced in the SA Cross Country series event hosted in Helderberg on Saturday, said he was “very happy with the win”.
“I’ve been putting in a lot more work than what that race showed, so to take the win here is great,” he said.
According to Reid, the route was exactly what mountain bikers expected from the event, despite the recent devastating fires in the region.
“Hats off to the organisers, there was so much singletrack – 60 percent was on-the-edge, dusty and loose. That is what this race is famous for,” he added.
Dutch mountain bike cyclist, 24-year-old Michiel van der Heijden was equally impressed with the route. This was his fourth visit to South Africa.
“The route was spectacular – even though the forest burnt down, there was crazy good singletrack. I always enjoy these types of races. I did them a couple of times in the US and always enjoyed it, you never really know the course and what’s coming next – a climb, or a singletrack, which makes for some different racing,” he said.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust’s David Bellairs said: “I love having the top guys here but this is really a family event. The main aim is getting folks out on mountain bikes and enjoying what we have to offer.”
Stenerhag said she was happy to win the race for the first time. “It was dusty and soft after the fire and in some places it was quite challenging to ride. They’ve done a great job restoring the singletracks though.” - Cape Argus