Matt Beers wins R100 000 on home turf in Knysna Bull

KNYSNA CYCLING NEWS - HB Kruger won two stages of the Knysna Bull MTB race, but it wasn't enough to overhaul the overall lead Matt Beers held from Wednesday's evening prologue. In the end, Beers claimed the win and the R100 000 prize just ahead of U23 cross-country world champion Alan Hatherly, with Kruger having to settle for third.

In the women's race, where the prize for first place was also R100 000, Sam Sanders was the winner. Jennie Stenerhag claimed second place, with Sanders's Dormakaba teammate Amy McDougall taking third place overall. Germany's Sabine Spitz, an Olympic gold, silver and bronze winner, was in contention for the big payday until a flat tyre dented her hopes on day 2.

'Special win'
For Beers, who along with Hatherly only decided to enter the Knysna Bull at the last minute, it was a sweet win. Beers, who grew up in Knysna, said winning on "home turf" was special. "My last win in this area was Karoo to Coast a while ago. So to do well again in my old backyard was a special feeling," said Beers.

For Hatherly and Kruger the Knysna Bull was a race pace platform for their seasons ahead, and an opportunity to race in an infrequently visited part of the country.

"I liked the solo aspect of the racing," said Kruger. "It was a good block of intense training, and it's great to compare yourself to the likes of Matt and Alan – it's not every day that you get to race against a world champion."

Former Cape Epic winner Jennie Stenerhag was impressed with the event and competition throughout. "Sam is a very worthy winner," said Stenerhag. "She is riding so well at the moment and is very strong. It was an intense four days of racing, but lots of fun too."

Matt Beers, the winner of the Knysna Bull men's category and R100 000. Photos: Supplied

The Knysna Bull is the first time Sanders has raced in the area, and after claiming the big cheque with the big number, she leaves with fond memories.

'Cheque is a bonus'
"The cheque is a bonus, really… I was looking forward to riding in Knysna, and the Bull has lived up to my expectations and beyond. The racing was good, the riding was amazing, and to race against people like Sabine and Jennie was a thrill. I really admire them both, so to race them was superb."

In the Young Bull category, for riders between the ages of 18 and 23, Henry Liebenberg and Bianca Haw were the respective winners of the male and female titles, with Liebenberg finishing in an impressive fifth overall. They each took home R10 000 for their efforts.

For four days, riders enjoyed forest trails, newly built single track and the unique race village of the Knysna Waterfront. With short, sharp days on the bike and a relaxed lagoonside setting after the day's riding, the Knysna Bull is the perfect race for those looking to dip a toe into the world of mountain bike stage racing or to fine-tune their race pace.

Hundreds of cyclists participated in the Knysna Bull 2019.