press release

Gqeberha’s Marco Joubert stamped his authority on the BDO Hayterdale Classic MTB Race early on to lay the foundation for a comfortable victory in the 40km feature event, which took place at Hayterdale Trails just outside Addo today.

The 25-year-old professional romped home in 1:35:53 on an unforgiving course, followed by Sydney Strydom (1:40:31) and Adrian Oosthuizen (1:43:02).

Joubert put his stamp on the race on Zuurberg Pass, which starts directly after the neutral zone.

“I pretty much did an interval session to see where my form was,” said the Imbuko-typeDev-Giant star, who is one of the pre-race favourites for the upcoming Cape Pioneer Trek.

Two kilometres into the winding ascent he found himself on his own and he simply kept going to extend his lead all the way to the finish.

“The win today has given me a real boost,” he told the media afterwards.

The route, which featured just short of 1 000m of elevation, took riders over similar terrain to that seen on the final day of the Great Zuurberg Trek and Joubert was suitably impressed.

“Besides the trails, the infrastructure has developed so much over the years that it is the perfect place to spend a weekend. It’s great riding and the off-the-bike hospitality is brilliant.”

Joubert also rode to victory in this year’s Herald Cycle Tour Extreme MTB Race in the same area before finishing the Cape Epic as the first South African and eighth overall alongside Pieter du Toit, who will again partner him next week.

In the women’s race, Nicola Freitas (2:03:29) from Gqeberha faced a much stiffer challenge before eventually going clear of Juanita Mackenzie (2nd) and Anriette Schoeman (3rd) on a chilly morning.

“I’m not as strong as them on the climbs,” said the 28-year-old Action Cycles rider, who returned to this discipline of the sport following several years of triathlon racing.

“With that start up the pass I knew it would be tough and my objective was to keep them in sight and not to let the elastic snap before the top. I was able to do that and was probably about 30 seconds behind them.”

Taking advantage of her technical skills, she set off in pursuit of the leaders as soon as the race hit the singletrack sections.

Freitas eventually hit the front after 9km and from there it became a matter of “working hard all the way”, she said.

“It wasn’t easy to overtake on the narrow trail, but I managed to pass them and knew I would have to continue focusing on the descents to build my lead.

“I tried to keep it smooth and not take too many risks. The winding singletrack meant you could never really get away completely.

“There was quite a long, steady climb near the finish and I knew they were coming for me, so I just had to keep pushing.”

She did enough to finish a comfortable three-and-a-half minutes ahead of Mackenzie and admitted that she was “stoked” with the result.

“This is a real boost for my confidence, especially ahead of the Cape Pioneer Trek, which I will be riding with Juanita [Mackenzie].”

Results

40km MTB

Men

1. Marco Joubert 1:35: 53
2. Sydney Strydom 1:40:31
3. Adrian Oosthuizen 1:43:02

Women

1. Nicola Freitas 2:03:29
2. Juanita Mackenzie 2:07:04
3. Anriette Schoeman 2:11:30

40km e-bike

Men

1. Justin Seale 1:33:36
2. Matthew Preston 1:37:59
3. Charlie Jackson 1:41:42

Women

1. Phillipa Seale 1:48:14
2. Vanessa du Plessis 3:51:13

25km

Men

1. Craig Townsend 1:11:48
2. Daniel Cornick 1:16:22
3. Dewald Beneder 1:17:22

Women

1. Kyra Boonzaier 1:18:05
2. Jorja Boonzaier 1:19:54
3. Candy Boonzaier 1:19:55

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

Press Release Views since 1 July 2022: 36

My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.

Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.

Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.

A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.

Teenager Patrige Chimwendo and the experienced Lexi Loizou sped to victory in the 18km feature events at the BDO Hayterdale Classic Trail Run just outside Addo on Saturday.

The event, which was supported by 12km and 6km distances for intermediate and novice participants, started with the tough 6km ascent of the Zuurberg Pass.

Nineteen-year-old Chimwendo, who matriculated from Alexander Road High in Gqeberha last year, crossed the line at Hayterdale Trails in the foothills of the mountain range in a time of 1:43:09.

Delano Knoetze took second (1:54:43) ahead of Willem Schoeman (2:03:10).

Although he has mostly concentrated on road running, Chimwendo has developed a taste for the trails and was impressed with what the route offered.

“I’ve done some trail running in the past and have always enjoyed the experience,” said the winner of last year’s 12km Mountain Challenge at Crossways. “So when I get the opportunity I make sure to grab it.

“It was the first time I have been in this region and it was good to discover these trails, which had plenty of variety. It was memorable.”

Chimwendo, who placed third in the U23 category at last year’s South African duathlon championships, soon found himself in a small group at the head of affairs.

“The course was quite steep from the outset, but I enjoyed the climb and was able to up my pace gradually, even though it got steeper and steeper,” explained the Gqeberha runner.

His relentless pace drew him clear of his opponents and saw him pass the first waterpoint after 7km one minute ahead of his closest challenger.

“I didn’t hear any time gaps after that but from that point on I was able to hold my pace, averaging about five-and-half-minutes per kilometre.

“Towards the end, with about 2km to go, I decided to push a little harder to make sure I held my position.”

The former Alex pupil said he felt comfortable throughout as he was currently preparing for a training camp in Kenya.

“I’m raising funds to go to Kenya in September, just before the season starts. So I’m busy with a lot of preparation for that.

“This course had all the elements you want in a trail run and I was happy to feel comfortable on the ups, downs and technical sections. The organisers really did an amazing job.”

After being forced to take time off to recover from injury, Loizou was thrilled to be back in the pack and duly finished on top of the women’s podium in 1:43.56.

The 38-year-old was followed home by Antonelle Saporta (1:54.49) and Sinalo Nongauza (2:19:06).

“Unfortunately I was off for quite a while but it is great to be over that and I look forward to doing more of these events,” said the versatile athlete, who also competes in mountain bike and triathlon races.

“I’m now able to train normally again and am so happy be back in action.”

Also a first-timer at Hayterdale, Loizou said she fell “in love” with the event, which features 600m of elevation.

“I’m notorious for getting lost on these sorts of runs because often you can be by yourself, but this route was so well marked.

“It had a bit of everything, which I always appreciate, including some challenges like that first climb,” said the Gqeberha athlete who clocked the second fastest time on the day.

“But luckily I don’t mind the uphills and after a few kilometres with a small group I was able to build a gap on the rest of the women’s field.

“I felt really comfortable throughout and it was nice to get the win and to have such a great route experience.”

Results

18km

Men

1. Patrige Chimwendo 1:43:09
2. Delano Knoetze 1:54:43
3. Willem Schoeman 2:03:10

Women

1. Lexi Loizou 1:43:56
2. Antonelle Saporta 1:54:49
3. Sinalo Nongauza 2:19:06

12km

Men

1. Coenie Louw 1:10:03
2. Ettienne Potgieter 1:10:18
3. Makhosandile Ngquse 1:12:38

Women

1. Gail Willimott 1:03:44
2. Mariette Hattingh 1:10:15
3. Andrea Dyer 1:19:45

6km

Men

1. Enrico Els 29:33
2. Brett Bursey 32:07
3. Dewald Vermeulen 35:47

Women

1. Lynn Biggs 46:12
2. Sonai Owsley 47:27
3. Lizelle Els 53:42

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

Press Release Views since 1 July 2022: 165

My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.

Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.

Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.

A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.