Even better the Dr Evil you know…

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KNYSNA NEWS - The final stage of the 2019 Buco Dr Evil Classic concluded three fantastic days of mountain biking with a singletrack-packed stage around the Cairnbrogie and Harkerville trails on Saturday 21 September.

Matthew Leppan sprinted to his second-stage victory of the race holding off Martin Schuttert from Holland, who wrapped up the overall title despite not grabbing a final-stage victory.

In the solo women's race, former Knysna local Nicky Giliomee completed the perfect hat-trick of wins to comprehensively secure general classification honours.

Leppan, returning to the trails where he raced in the Spur School's League event just a few weeks ago, was again too quick in the final for Schuttert. The young rider from Plettenberg Bay led into the final singletrack after the men's team stage winners Kevin Evans and Shannon Frost had done much of the work throughout the first 45km.

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Utilising his knowledge of the trails, Leppan was able to get the jump on the rest of the lead group and sprint unimpeded to stage victory.

Matthew Leppan sprinted to stage victory, beating overall race winner Martin Schuttert for the second day in a row on the final stage of the Dr Evil Classic. Photo: Maryann Shaw

"I was happy with the singletrack run into the finish," Leppan said. "I know the trails, so I knew where I had to position myself to contest the win. It's unbelievable to be able to take two stage-wins over a rider like Martin [Schuttert]."

After receiving a high five from Leppan, the overall victor of the race, Schuttert, said, "The general classification was the most important. I didn't take any risks today. I had a safe ride and it feels great to take the victory back to the Netherlands."

While the sights and riding of the Dr Evil Classic may be new to Schuttert, solo women's rider Giliomee has taken part in the race before and frequently rode the Harkerville trails in particular while at school in Knysna.

Now working in Stellenbosch, Giliomee only returns for long weekends and holidays to her parents' Garden Route home but remains as in love with the scenery as ever.

"It was such a beautiful race," Giliomee said with a smile after receiving her medal. "In the last singletrack along the coast, I completely backed off and took it all in. It was the most amazing trail I think I've ever ridden."

Stage 3 of the Dr Evil Classic started and finished at Cairnbrogie farm, just outside Plettenberg Bay. Photo: Oakpics.com