The first-ever interprovincial Battle of the Bikes Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) was truly a battle of the bikes.
Riders followed a route over historical battle fields between Kimberley and Bloemfontein, with the Free State (FS) riders announced as the interprovincial winners against Northern Cape (NC).
Kobus Burger of Oryx Endurance and co-ordinator, said Northern Cape Cycling had initiated the event, and riders could look forward to another battle next year.
The event, held on 1 October, commenced from the Magersfontein Memorial Estate at Modder River.
Burger said events by Oryx Endurance were always family-oriented and provided an outdoor experience to the race-fit and professionals to challenge each other, but still catered for the masses who were hobbyists.
In this XCM event, riders could enter the 105 km, 50 km, 23 km or the 50 km e-bike event. The focus is on endurance, and the level of mountain biking skills required depends on the distance and terrain of each race.
Results
105 km male category:
1. Pieter Korkie (FS)
2. Jean Fourie (FS)
3. Daniel Kotzé (FS)
105 km female category:
1. Tania Visser (NC)
2. Helena van Niekerk
3. Angelique Nel
50 km male category:
1. Jean-Jacques Holtzhauzen (FS)
2. Jean-Jacques Koekemoer (FS)
3. Karlchen Rost (NC)
50 km female category:
1. Colleen Jacobs (NC)
2. Karin Erasmus (NC)
3. Zelna Krist (NC)
23 km male category:
1. Ludwig du Toit (FS)
2. Jumar du Plooy (FS)
3. Franco van Heerden (FS)
23 km female category:
1. Carli Bouwer (FS)
2. Nathasha Swart (FS)
3. Albertha Marais (FS)
50 km e-bike category:
1. Piet Nieuwenhuizen
2. Divan Nieuwenhuizen
3. Ignus Pretorius
Entry for the Matsa 100 Miler MTB Challenge on 25 March from Bloemfontein to Kimberley opens soon. Visit oryxendurance on Facebook.
