Just shy of 300 mountain-bikers, from weekend warriors to serious riders, flocked to the sleepy village of Wittedrift just outside Plettenberg Bay for the three-stage race which started on Thursday, September 18 and finished on Saturday, September 20.
The routes, which ranged between 50km and 80km, were created by master route designer Leon 'Dr Evil' Evans who is well-known for his gruelling Absa Cape Epic course, said race organiser Zandile Meneses. "Although his nickname instills dread in most riders, Evans showed his kinder side to Pennypinchers Dr Evil Classic participants with routes aimed at the fun rider."
"My reputation as Dr Evil only stretches as far as the Absa Cape Epic is concerned. For everything else I am actually 'Dr Nice'," Evans quipped.
He added that the event was designed for the average rider and although the route - a combination of single-track, scenic district roads and forest trails - did not differ dramatically from last year's, Evans did endeavour to make it slightly easier without compromising the challenge. "This balanced mix was also one of the reasons the event, which followed a cloverleaf format from the Wittedrift High School, sold out a month ahead of the race and showed a 20% growth in the number of riders this year."
For the top riders the race was just as much about achieving good times as it was about enjoying the scenery and Dr Evil's pleasant routes.
One of the country's top mountain-bikers and Plettenberg Bay local, Kevin Evans powered through the three-stages in a total time of 07:57:40 to take victory in the men's category. He crossed the finish line first in stages one and three. Close on his heels was Derrin Smith, winner of stage two, who managed a total time of 08:00:50 to clinch second place, while Marc Kerr took the final spot on the podium with a time of 08:12:15.
The women's category was dominated by experienced rider Michelle Lombardi who took all three stage victories and managed an overall time of 09:39:35, more than 20 minutes ahead of her closest rival Wielie Frick who ended in second place with a total time of 10:03:41. Caren Mills finished in third with a time of 10:17:42.
The full results are be available on www.drevilclassic.com.
For many riders, the event also served as a warm-up ahead of the following day, Sunday, September 21's Pennypinchers Lions Karoo to Coast Mountain-Bike Challenge, as 70% of the Dr Evil Classic field also enetered that event.
The Pennypinchers Dr Evil Classic's focus is not only mountain-biking; various organisations, including the Plett Rotary Club, Plett Animal Welfare Society, CANSA and the Wittedrift High School, will benefit from this year’s event.
Michelle Lombardi dominated this year's Pennypinchers Dr Evil Classic in Wittedrift outside Plettenberg Bay and claimed victory in the women's category. Plett local Kevin Evans crossed the finish line first in the men’s category. Photo: Desmond Scholtz.
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