Akkedis proves tougher than ever

Date: 14 August 2014 By: Isabel Venter

The Akkedis Mountain Bike Challenge the past weekend once again lived up to its reputation of being one of the toughest mountain bike races the Soutpansberg has to offer.

Hosted in the Komatiland plantations outside Makhado (Louis Trichardt) on Saturday, this year’s challenge saw a 40% increase in participation from that of last year, with a total number of 281 entries for the three respective races. The challenge also doubled as an awareness campaign for multiple sclerosis (MS). Last year, almost two dozen riders wore uniquely designed orange cycling shirts to show their support toward the plight of MS sufferers. This year, however, there was a sea of orange riders, with some 100 riders wearing the orange cycling shirts.

Traditionally, the challenge was hosted at the Schoemansdal Environmental Centre. This year, however, the venue was moved to the Komatiland plantations.

All eyes were once again on the gruelling 60km race, with last year’s defending champion, CP van Wyk, here to defend his title. CP, however, ran into a spot of extreme bad luck when he had to retire from the race as a result of an allergic reaction to an energy drink. From the word go, cyclist Allan Gordon was on his tail, with Gordon taking the lead after CP’s withdrawal from the race. Gordon eventually cycled home in first place in a time of 02:34:36, almost 18 minutes before his closest rival, PSG rider Matthew Scofield, who finished in 02:52:37. Mario Ferreira was third in 02:54:54.

Local rider Marnelle Pessegueiro stamped her authority in the 60km women’s race by cycling home unchallenged in first place to snatch the overall women’s category in a time of 03:39:14. Almost 14 minutes later it was, however, a sprint to the finish for second and third place, with a mere second separating Loraine Scheepers, who finished second in 03:53:12, and Shirley Scriven, who was third in 03:53:13.

The 35km race this year proved much tougher for riders used to the “flat peddle” along the railway tracks when it was hosted at Schoemansdal. For the first 28km of the race, it was a gruelling climb for riders to the top of the Soutpansberg, followed by a quick descent to the finish.

Top honours in the men's race this year went to Marco Roets, who completed the race in a blistering 01:42:42, with a mere second separating him and second-place finisher Kombo Bere in 01:42:43. These two young local riders frequently feature with first- and second-place finishes in races. Another upcoming young local rider, Chris Knoesen, also impressed by finishing third in 01:45:15.

In the women’s category of the 35km race, it was another a local rider who scooped up first place. Jernay Mcleod cycled home in a time of 02:18:52. Ten minutes later, second-place winner Abigail Joubert finished the race in 02:28:31, and ten minutes behind her, third place went to Theresia Lessing in 02:38:06.

In the 10km race, the youngsters were the ones who featured. The overall winner in the boys category was Hugo Rennings (00:38:39) in first place, with Uzair Hoosen (00:39:26) in second place and Owen Venter (00:40:50) in third place. As for the young ladies, Eliz-Mari Pretorius cycled home first in 00:45:14, followed by Marvelique van der Merwe in second place in 00:47:39 and Charne Labuschagne third in 00:47:50.

For the complete results, visit http://www.akkedismountainbike.co.za.

Viewed: 499

Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

More photos... 

Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer Photo: Mark Archer