The duo showed its technical superiority when it took the lead in extremely muddy conditions on day one and did not relinquish it again. They set a blistering pace on the final 58km stage through the Harkerville Forest to put the seal on a dominant performance in the three-day, 200km race.
The RSA Web-Dorma teammates cruised into the finish at Thesen Harbour Town in 2:09:20 to take the overall win in 8:13:07.
Cannondale-Blend veterans Martin Epstein and Andrew Davies limped home seventh in 2:29:10 after damaging a rim in the closing kilometres. They had however done enough to retain the overall runner-up spot in 9:04:41.
Freewheel Cycology's Lucas McDowall and Lionel Murray, who went astray on the opening stage, finished second on the final day in 2:24:58 to remain third overall in 9:24:48.
Hammer Nutrition's Dominic Calitz, who had kept pace with the leaders throughout the race, chased hard once again to claim the stage (2:09:48) and overall (8:13:36) laurels in the men's solo category.
Local rider Vernon Moos, who is a product of the Knysna Sport School, showed his grit after crashing on the technical timed enduro section and puncturing irreparably. He rode the final 10km on his front rim and rear tyre to finish second behind Calitz on the stage (2:23:26) and in the overall standings (9:01:53). Ross MacGregor rounded out the day's podium in 2:28:23 to finish third on GC (9:28:35).
The Merrell duo of Andrea von Holdt and Graeme van der Nest kept their stranglehold on the mixed category, taking their third stage win in 2:38:47 to earn the overall title in 10:19:01. They were followed home by the husband-and-wife pairing of Annari and Philip Jordaan in 2:52:25, who placed second overall in 11:02:25. RECM's Marilyn Fischer and Piet Viljoen were third on the stage in 2:58:44 and in the same position on the general standings in 11:23:40.
Bikeplus's Lindsey Chicken and Judy Scheepers notched up an uncontested win in the women's race, wrapping up a trio of stage wins in 2:50:07 (10:47:45).
Multiple national road champion Anriette Schoeman of Africa Silks-Bestmed successfully defended her title in the solo women's category, taking the final stage in 2:42:46 for an aggregate time of 10:23:00.
For the full results, visit www.recmknysna200.co.za. Alternatively, follow @recmknysna200 or find the Garden Route Events page on Facebook.
Women’s solo category winner Anriette Schoeman of Africa Silks-Bestmed (left) chases Merrell rider Andrea von Holdt, who won the mixed race with Graeme van der Nest, at the three-day RECM Knysna 200 on Sunday. Photo: Full Stop Communications.
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