Local cyclist competes in TransCape MTB
Inaugural seven-day TransCape MTB stage race
Andries Gous was among the elite 100 cyclists who obtained entry into the inaugural seven-day TransCape MTB stage race.
The competition started from Knysna and ended in Franschhoek recently. The Roodepoort mountain bike enthusiast and his team mate Brian Bontekoning of Krugersdorp competed in the gruelling event which saw them navigate almost 750 kilometres.
Competing as Team Bruces, the pair spent a total of 40:19:51 in the saddle to finish seventh in the men’s team division of this classic race which was won by the Belgium team of Björn Rondelez and Niek Lingier.
While Gous and his team mate didn’t win this testing event, they did have to conquer challenges such as the Rooiberg Pass, a section of the Klein Karoo, the Langeberg Mountains and Franschhoek Pass on the way to earning their badge of honour for finishing the race.
Kicking off in Knysna on February 8, the race took the field of intrepid cyclists to the finish line in Franschhoek on Valentine’s Day.
The most challenging days on the bike for Team Bruces was stage two from George to Calitzdorp which saw them cycle 147 kilometres. This included a climb of 2305 metres in temperatures that topped the 40°C mark at stages. The team completed this route in just 7:57:02 to finish ninth in the men’s team category.
On the penultimate stage from Greyton to Villiersdorp they raced home in 4:54:55, again in tenth place before their final big effort getting them over the finish line in Franschhoek as the eighth men’s team over the line in 4:14:43.
With next year’s race following a reverse route, from the Cape Winelands to Knysna, local cyclists who think they have the daring to follow in Gous’ cycle tracks can visit www.transcapemtb.com from April to get all the entry details for TransCape MTB 2016.
