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KNYSNA NEWS - Three years after the last fully physical edition, the Knysna Cycle Tour returned to the dirt trails of Knysna last weekend for two days of exciting mountain bike action to help get the 2022 Knysna Oyster Festival going.
It was held on the second and third days of the festival, 2 and 3 July, and it was the first time in a number of years that the event did not feature a road race as part of its programme.
Instead, the first of two days of mountain biking (MTB) saw a 42km and an 82km race taking place and the second a 12km and 35km race.
PHOTO GALLERY: MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION
The first day's cycling started bright and early at the top of the Simola Hill, near the Gouna Road turn-off.
The two distances started at different times, but followed a similar route in the opening stages. Both started out following the Concordia Road up to Prince Alfred's Pass before doing the climb to the Diepwalle Forest Station. Here the two races split and the 42km riders turned onto the Kom-se-Pad Road, making their way to the Forester's Hut and then onto the Gouna Road where they took on a final short 2,6km climb to finish at the starting point.
Damon Terblanche awaits the start of the 82km race.
While this took place, the 82km riders continued past Kom-se-Pad and past Spitskop, peaking at Buffelsnek. Riders then turned west, back into the indigenous forest and on to the Rodebossie trail hut. From there they continued on to Kom-se-Pad and followed the 42km route home to the finish at the top of Simola Hill.
More than 400 people took part, but only a select few could be crowned the winners. In the 42km race, Ryan McNally's e-bike steered him to victory in both his category and the overall win. André Krige and Dupreez Briedenhann followed him home to take second and third - both on e-bikes. The first MTB rider to cross the finish line was Anthony Humphreys in fourth place overall, and the first lady to finish was Anne Pienaar on a mountain bike and she finished 10th overall.
Mario de Sousa took part in the 42km. Photos: Blake Linder
While e-bikes took the 42km's top spots, the MTB riders dominated in the 82km race. Zandré Gerber took top honours with Zack Swart and Adriaan Oosthuizen following behind in second and third place. Robbie Powell was the first e-bike to finish and Juanita Mackenzie finished 14th overall, as the first lady over the line.
For the second day's riding, cyclists were taken to the Garden Route Trail Park in Barrington for an early start, where they would ride 12km and 35km races around the park's trails.
In the 12km race Connor O'Haher finished first while Kyle O'Haher and Stephan Röth rounded out the podium spots. Riding her e-bike, Lorraine Scholtz was the first lady to finish and Angelique Steyn was the first lady on a moutain bike to finish.
E-bikes dominated in the 35km as Robbie Powell was in fine form once more to top the overall standings. Rory Andrews finished second, followed by Nick Essam in third. Ingo Tuschardt was the first MTB to finish, coming in fourth overall. Karin Botha was the first lady home, finishing 15th overall.
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