Stormy weather no match for riders

Update

KNYSNA SPORT NEWS - Cyclists participating in this year's Knysna Cycle Tour mountain bike (MTB) race had to brace windy conditions as well as a downpour just after the start at the first major sporting event of this year's Knysna Oyster Festival.

The 80km event was won by Gert Heyns – his second consecutive win in two years – in a time of 3:18:16. Second was Marco Joubert in 3:20:58 followed by Robert Hobson in 3:24:27. Heyns was very happy to take the win again and defend his title after last year's victory.

"It was quite a good way to test my form ahead of SA MTB Marathon Champs this weekend," he said. "It was perfect conditions out there today, a bit windy but not too slippery. It was a very enjoyable race. I got away just past halfway with Marco Joubert. We rode together for quite a bit and then I managed to get away from him and just stay out in front. It was quite hard, but I was feeling good."

Heyns said he enjoyed the new route that Knysna Rotary designed this year. "There's quite a few nice new sections of singletrack at the beginning which makes it more interesting," he said. "It makes everyone a bit more tired early on. It's quite a fast three hours but it's a good route."

First home in the Elite women's race over the 80km was defending champion Robyn de Groot in a fast 3:47:48, with Hayley Preen more than 15 minutes behind her with a time of 4:04:04. In third place, Courtney Webb was almost 10 minutes behind Preen with a time of 4:14:35.

De Groot said the race was "slightly different to last year with interesting singletrack at the start, which was really fun". "Also, coming into the finish on the field was quite different," she added.

De Groot took the lead early on in the race. "I think already in the school singletrack I was away, so it was a bit of a lonely day out but a good session nonetheless," she said. "The changes to the route this year were fantastic, and the vegetation was really nice. Well done to everyone who participated under tough conditions – with the rain and the wind it was quite hard."

Matthys Beukes of George crossed the finish line in fourth place. Photo: Blake Linder