ONCE again Illovo Eston MTB Challenge proved to be the prestigious MTB event in Natal, attracting a huge turnout on 7 August.
Amanzimtoti Cycling Club’s Mambas were spoilt for choice, having 18km, 28km, 40km and 60km distances on offer.
Cindy Theunissen again made Mambas proud by coming first in her age category in the 60km distance, in a time of 3:03. Her daughter, Bridget, is following in her footsteps by coming first in her age category in the 40km distance. Mambas had three third podium finishes: Tegen Weitz (28km), Warren Egon (40km) and Hendrik Bester (60km).
Results were as follows: 48th Rene Tupper (master) 1.26, 162nd Collin Bedingfield (grand master men) 1.29, 72nd Antoinette Bedingfield (master woman) 1.33.
28km event: 18th Gareth Weitz (sub vet men) 1.50, 19th Tegen Weitz (youth men) 1.50, 32nd Christo Hugo (sub vet men) 2, 41st Werner Hefer (sub vet men) 2.04.
40km event: 11th Warren Egon (sub vet men) 1.52, 30th Andrew Jones (vet) 2.06, 47th Carl Freyer (grand master men) 2.11, 63rd Bridget Theunissen (youth women) 2.14, 77th Michael Lake (senior) 2.16, 145th Neil Tupper (grand master men) 2.28, 147th Penny Chapman (vet woman) 2.28, 197th Brandon Wheeler (senior) 2.36, 200th Craig Chapman (vet men) 2.36, 288th Werner Hefer (sub vet) 2.51.
60km event: 23rd Hendrik Bester (vet men) 2.40, 37th Wesley Parker-Dennison (senior men) 2.46, 48th Dylan Chapman (senior men) 2.52, seventh Candice Parker-Dennison (senior woman) 3.01, eighth Cindy Theunisson (vet woman) 3.03, 119th Gavin Harvey (master men) 3.19, 131st Sean Jansen van Rensburg (vet men) 3.23, 157th Shaun Tischendorf (vet men) 3.28, 17th Caryn Harvey (vet women) 3.30, 172nd Wilhelm Tesnaar (sub vet men) 3.33, 189th Malcolm Wallace (master men) 3.38, 25th Liezel Davis (vet woman) 3.46, 46th Carla Parker-Dennison (master woman) 4.49, 274th Peter Parker-Dennsion (master men) 4.49, 47th Teegan Parker-Dennison (senior men) 4.49.
The launch of the Big 5 South Coast MTB series earlier this year has seen a heightened interest in the region’s major cycling events. This past Sunday, 14 August held the ‘sea’ series and the Sappi Scottburgh MTB Race didn’t disappoint.
After the recent torrential downpours, which resulted in a number of wash-aways, Flavio Scarpa and his team worked hard and the riders were treated to an abundance of single track on which they were able to test their skills. The conditions were ideal and the race was well attended by Amanzimtoti MTB Cycling Club.
Vet rider, Hendrik Bester had a fantastic ride, with a second overall finish in a time of 1:46 which shows he can still give the youngsters a run for their money. This after he rode 30kms to the start of the race. Candice Parker-Dennison Bridget Theunissen and Caryn Harvey did the women proud by coming first in their age category and first, 10th and fifth respectively in gender category. Another Mamba, Ron Waldburger, managed third place in the grand masters category.
Michelle Burne unfortunately had a bad fall and the Mambas wish her a speedy recovery.
Results were as follows:
45km event: Second Hendrik Bester (vet men) 1.46, 11th Wesley Parker-Dennison (senior men) 1.52, 15th Dylan Chapman (senior men) 1.56, 18th Dillon Holm (sub vet men) 1.57, 29th Candice Parker-Dennison (senior woman) 2.04, 36th Warren Egon (sub vet men) 2.08, 55th Caryn Harvey (vet woman) 2.21, 61st Michael Lake (senior men) 2.23, 62nd Andrew Jones (vet men) 2.23, 66th Ron Waldburger (grand master men) 2.24, 72nd Ian Sayer (sub vet men) 2.26, 82nd Bridget Theunissen (youth woman) 2.33, 89th Shaun Heinze (master men) 2.38, 92nd Sean Jansen van Rensburg (vet men) 2.39, 100th Hardus Burger (sub vet men), 2.43, 102nd Gavin Grix (sub vet men) 2.43, 155th Corrie Engelbrecht (master men) 3.25, 170th Stephen van Rooyen (vet men) 3.45, 171st Anton Booysen (master men) 3.45.
