Cape Town – After three days in the saddle and 214km of magnificent mountain biking memories made, the 2015 FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Adventure closed off on a wet, but high note at the Onrust Caravan Park (just outside of Hermanus) on Sunday, 01 November 2015.
Team Kia Namibia’s Martin Freyer and Michael Pretorius’ valiant efforts over the weekend paid off, securing them the top spot on the podium in the men’s race. Their combined winning time was 11 hours 06 minutes 16 seconds. “Although the wind did make things difficult today, the stage was amazing,” said Freyer. “It was great having a fellow Namibian team riding out front with us. The Hermanus trails were amazing and the scenery was stunning. W2W really is an amazing experience. I don’t know whether to be happy that we rode or sad that it’s over.” Anton Koller and Gregor Krall of Team Rehidrat 2 came in second, while Jeffrey Sullivan and Deon Van Vuuren of Team Far Canal finished third.
Theresa Ralph and Hamish Knowles of Team Galileo Risk secured a hattrick victory. “Today was tough,” said Ralph. “The wind was howling and it was cold and wet. I love this event. It’s just different to other events. It’s hosted in a beautiful section of the Cape and the organization is world class. Even the tented village is better than that of any other stage race. Being on the podium is a bonus. We’ll definitely be back next year to defend our title.” Team Galileo Risk completed all three days in a combined time of 12 hours 07 minutes 51 seconds. Karin Van Niekerk and Mark Mahoney of Team Cycology came in second, while Robert Kitching and Collette Bastard of Team Recycles Racing finished third.
Lolita Van Aardt and Simone Rhoda Van Aardt of Team Tailormade Properties Craft Racing claimed the top step of the podium in the women’s race after completing all three stages in a combined time of 13 hours 32 minutes 20 seconds. Michelle Van Aswegen and Emma Pienaar of Team Crackerjacks came in second, while Phelia Burger and Erica Green of Team Reeds Wines2Whales finished third.
“It’s fantastic to see the incredible turnout by cyclists who want to enjoy the unparalleled experience of taking part in this competition. The Adventure provided an exciting start to the 2015 edition of the contest and set high standards for the remaining stages. We would like to congratulate all the cyclists, especially the winners who dug deep and showed commendable resilience until the finish line,” said Mike Vacy-Lyle, CEO FNB Business.
The 2015 FNB W2W MTB Ride will kick off at the picturesque Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West) at 07:00 on Monday, 02 November 2015. Teams of two riders will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
Stage Information:
Stage One
Start Venue: Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West)
Finish Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Distance: 72km
Ascent: 1620m
Stage Two
Start Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Finish Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Distance: 67km
Ascent: 1366m
Stage Three
Start Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Finish Venue: Onrust Caravan Park (just outside Hermanus)
Distance: 75km
Ascent: 1300m
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For more information on the FNB Wines2Whales MTB events contact 083 760 3158, e-mail race@wines2whales.co.za, adventure@wines2whales.co.za or ride@wines2whales.co.za or visit www.wines2whales.co.za
About FNB Wines2Whales:
FNB Business and FNB Private Wealth have made a joint commitment to sponsor the annual Wines2Whales Mountain Bike Events.
FNB’s ongoing strategy is to support local and community events that show the potential to grow. This sponsorship affirms our dedication to providing an experience that is beyond expectation, through a sport that continues to grow in popularity as one of the key activities in the South African sporting calendar. The annual FNB Wines2Whales Mountain Bike Events are aligned to our belief that adventure is the heart of innovation and this is one of many platforms on which we seek to make a lasting connection with new and existing clients.
Contact
FNB Business- If your business is going far, we can help you get there.
Email: zak.sivalingum@fnb.co.za
FNB Private Wealth – We help you grow, manage, protect and enjoy your wealth.
Email: nsolomon@fnbprivateclients.co.za
FNB Wines2Whales MTB Adventure
Sunday, 01 November 2015
Top 5 Results / Stage Two:
Men 1 Michael Falk and Norbert Meyer / Team EPT/W Meyer Optometrists Windhoek 03:44:49, 2 Anton Koller and Gregor Krall / Team Rehidrat 2 03:44:50, 3 Martin Fryer and Michael Pretorius / Team Kia Namibia 03:44:51, 4 Bobby Behan and Giniel De Villiers / Team Specialized 03:46:03, 5 Mark Boddy and Thomas Figl / Reliance Lanco 03:49:46
Women 1 Lolita Van Aardt and Simone Rhoda Van Aardt / Tailormade Properties Craft Racing 04:40:57, 2 Michelle Van Aswegen and Emma Pienaar / Team Crackerjacks 04:47:46, 3 Phelia Burger and Erica Green / Reeds Wines2Whales 04:52:42, 4 Diane Obree and Didi Francis / REHIDRAT Sport 05:08:58
Mixed 1 Theresa Ralph and Hamish Knowles / Galileo Risk 03:59:14, 2 Karin Van Niekerk and Mark Mahoney / Cycology 04:10:48, 3 Robert Kitching and Collette Bastard / Recycles Racing 04:13:08, 4 Dani Raess and Simone Raess / Danis Bike Team 04:28:39, 5 Jampie Vlok and Zelda Van Wijk / Rola Toyota 04:33:54
Top 5 Results / GC: Stage One, Two and Three combined:
Men 1 Martin Fryer and Michael Pretorius / Team Kia Namibia 11:06:16, 2 Anton Koller and Gregor Krall / Team Rehidrat2 11:12:34, 3 Jeffrey Sullivan and Deon Van Vuuren / Far Canal 11:35:30, 4 Franclo Henning and Charl Cooper / Billy and Villi 11:39:26, 5 Michael Falk and Norbert Meyer / Team EPT/W. Meyer Optometrists Windhoek 11:42:17
Women 1 Lolita Van Aardt and Simone Rhoda Van Aardt / Tailormade Properties Craft Racing 13:32:20, 2 Michelle Van Aswegen and Emma Pienaar / Team Crackerjacks 14:22:40, 3 Phelia Burger and Erica Green / Reeds Wines2Whales 14:34:28, 4 Diane Obree and Didi Francis / REHIDRAT Sport 15:38:41
Mixed 1 Theresa Ralph and Hamish Knowles / Galileo Risk 12:07:51, 2 Karin Van Niekerk and Mark Mahoney / Cycology 12:56:35, 3 Robert Kitching and Collette Bastard / Recycles Racing 13:01:29, 4 Jampie Vlok and Zelda Van Wijk / Rola Toyota 13:27:01, 5 Dani Raess and Simone Raess / Danis Bike Team 13:41:10
