Piet is as tough as they come
Participants are required to carry everything they will need along the route on their bikes.
Piet Laubscher who works at Clover on Constantia Drive Roodepoort and lives in Krugersdorp has just finished the toughest cycle race on earth.
The Munga is a 1 000km mountain bike race that takes place every summer and features parts of the Northern Cape on its route. This year it was held from 27 November to 2 December.
The race starts in Bloemfontein, cuts through the Rolfontein Nature Reserve 16km north of Petrusville, and ends in Wellington in the Western Cape.
Piet said,” The Munga did not start very well for me as dehydration and an upset stomach threatened to end my quest. At 90km I was on the edge of quitting. I was almost stone last after the first day, but ended up finishing in an impressive 17th position.”
The predominantly off-road route was created in 2014 by Alex Harris and takes participants through five race villages where riders can shower, rest, eat and get mechanical assistance. There are 10 water points where they can fill up on snacks and water. Participants are required to carry everything they will need along the route on their bikes.
Piet said, “My previous Munga races were tough but this year it was even tougher due to extreme weather conditions. The highest official temperature in Africa of 54°C was recorded in Vioolsdrift with crazy headwinds and lots of sand.”
Kevin Benkenstein and Thinus Redelinghuys decided to share first place when they reached the finish line at the Doolhof Wine Estate in Wellington.
Anri Parker was the first woman home. Elaine Beytell finished just over five hours later and Nicky Booyens finished third.
