Local young mountain-bike rider Vincent Buter successfully defended his title in the half-marathon of the 2022 Fedhealth MTB Challenge, which took place at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate in Stellenbosch on Sunday (11 September).
The Somerset West resident completed the gruelling 30 km cycle in a time of 01:20:37, some time off his 2021 time of 01:01:09. However, this year the Parel Vallei High School learner had to traverse and navigate wet and muddy conditions on the picturesque route, which featured a total climb of 580 m while the terrain included good gradient climbs with beautiful views. The views at Keermont were a definite highlight, while other iconic farms traversed included Stellekaya, Chaloner, Keermont, Vriesenhof and lots more.
“The route was nice,” the Grade 12 learner said. “I live in Somerset West, so I know all these trails by heart. It was nice riding my home trails. It was wet, slippery and had some off- camber corners, but it was really nice and well-marked. I broke away on the second climb, and just pushed from there and managed to keep first place. Because it’s my home trails I love it so much.
“We don’t have races this close to home all the time, so coming here is very nice. I’ll be back next year, but this time for the full marathon.”
Jean-Pierre du Plessis crossed the line in second place, while Cobus Marais finished third to round off the podium. In the women’s half-marathon Karin Burger was the first rider to cross the finish line with a finishing time of 02:38:23, followed by Jessi Nixon in second and Marike Steyn in third place.
In the marathon, Stellenbosch resident Gert Heyns and Candice Lill from Cape Town enjoyed the same fate as Buter, as they defended their titles in the men’s and women’s races respectively. Heyns claimed victory in the about 60 km race in a time of two hours and 42 seconds; he was followed by Arno du Toit in second place and Michael Foster in third.
Lill crossed the finish line in a time of 02:38:51 in the women’s event, followed by Kate Slegrova in second and Michelle Lombardi in third place.
