DEFENDING champion, Andrew Hill, wrapped up the Euro Steel Drak Descent MTB race in Underberg with a comprehensive overall win in the two-day stage race.
After winning Saturday’s opening stage by just under a minute, Hill rode away from his nearest challengers early on in the second stage from Glencairn to Hopewell Farm and added another three minutes to his lead.
“I kicked on the first climb soon after the start and only Tyronne (White) came with me. He was in a team and so he waited a bit for his partner and I did not see them again – I was looking back expecting to see them at some point, but luckily I only saw them again at the finish.”
“The race organisers changed quite a lot of the track from last year – they put a lot more single track in, which is always good. Some of the views of the Southern Berg were spectacular,” said Hill.
The first woman to finish was Bianca Haw, who rode alongside her boyfriend, Andrew Houston. The duo won the mixed category and finished a massive 37 minutes ahead of the second mixed team, Rouxda Grobler and Jacques Grobler.
Andy Birkett picked up his sixth win to edge ahead of Stott as the canoeist with the most wins. Stott, a multiple Dusi winner, won the Drak Challenge five times.
ALSO READ: Companies step up for avid Pinetown athletes
Euro Steel Drak Descent MTB
Men
1. Andrew Hill 3.56.05 (1.53.36, 2.02.29)
2. Andrew Johnson (1st team) 4.00.02 (1.54.18, 2.05.44)
3. Tyronne White (1st team) 4.00.04 (1.54.19, 2.05.45)
Women
1. Bianca Haw (1st mixed team with Andrew Houston) 4.22.47 (2.06.48, 2.15.59)
2. Rouxda Grobler (2nd mixed team with Jacques Grobler) 4.59.08 (2.26.04, 2.33.04)
3. Debrah Thomas 5.20.24 (1st solo) (2.34.29, 2.45.55)
Euro Steel Challenge MTB
Men
1. Charles Hughes 2.10.40 (1.18.33, 52.07)
2. Justin Swanepoel 2.12.45 (1.18.11, 54.34)
3. Nic Burczak 2.16.52 (1.29.41, 47.11)
Women
1. Jennifer Van Rensburg 2.34.32 (1.33.17, 1.01.15)
2. Bronwen Bainbridge 2.49.39 (1.40.25, 1.09.14)
3. Shannon Clarke 3.00.18 (1.42.53, 1.17.25)
GWK Run the Rivers
Men
1. Phillip Shezi 3.16.10 (2.04.23, 1.11.47)
2. Steven Erasmus 3.20.00 (2.05.21, 1.14.39)
3. Delphinus Sauer 3.32.25 (2.13.12, 1.19.13)
Women
1. Tarryn Lopez 3.50.18 (2.24.35, 1.25.43)
2. Anja Heenop 4.06.09 (2.30.56, 1.35.13)
3. Sarah Kirk 4.08.07 (2.32.46, 1.35.21)
GWK Run the Rivers Lite
Men
1. Antony Stott 1.43.31 (48.31, 55.00)
2. Khetukhuthula Vundla 1.46.50 (48.08, 58.42)
3. Tsepo Jama 1.49.55 (52.09, 57.46)
Women
1. Paige Mackenzie 1.55.10 (59.50, 55.20)
2. Meggan Mackenzie 2.03.12 (1.04.18, 58.54)
3. Jade Miller 2.04.15 (1.05.36, 58.39)
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
