Mans and Krugel dominate windy race
Hollard Gravel & Dirt thrills
A strong wind could not stop the top mountain bikers from doing their best at another Hollard Gravel & Series at the Auas Safari Lodge.
Gerhard Mans junior said his win at Saturday’s Hollard Gravel & Dirt series 65 km race at Auas Safari Lodge was brought by endurance and coupled with a bit of fortune.
During a very windy day, Mans stormed to the victory in 2 hours 24 minutes 21 seconds.
“Today was quite hard, because I struggled from about 20 km and I thought it was over at that point, but I just pushed on.
“Drikus and the leaders came from behind and I just raced with them for a couple of kilometres, but they unfortunately had a flat tyre.
“For the last 20 km I pushed on against a very strong wind and I am proud of that,” Mans said.
Mans (sub-veteran) was followed four minutes later by Clinton Hilfiker (masters), while Danzel de Koe (elite men) secured the overall third position. Xavier Papo (elite men) was fourth, followed by sub-veteran Nelius Burger.
Ingram Cuff, another multiple winner in the series, likely experienced technical difficulties as he finished in overall tenth place and first of the veteran men.
Anri Krugel, who won the women’s 65km race, echoed the same sentiments as her Hollard-sponsored team-mate Mans.
Krugel said she had to battle the wind, but tried her best to mentally ignore it for most parts of the race, as she finished more than 19 minutes ahead of any opponent.
“It was tough and I just kept peddling. I did my best to try and ignore the wind.
“I think this route was more technical, because I saw quite a number of people falling in front of me,” Krugel said.
Jeanne Heunis came in second place, while Maike Bochert finished third, followed by Luanne van der Schyff and Monika Grossmann.
Drikus Coetzee, the previous winner at the Hollard Gravel & Dirt’s Otjiwa Safari Lodge event, said he was disappointed after his bike gave him problems.
“I was doing well until I got a flat tyre which made it impossible for me to chase the top three.
“I am however going to bounce back since there are a few events remaining in the series,” Coetzee noted.
During a very windy day, Mans stormed to the victory in 2 hours 24 minutes 21 seconds.
“Today was quite hard, because I struggled from about 20 km and I thought it was over at that point, but I just pushed on.
“Drikus and the leaders came from behind and I just raced with them for a couple of kilometres, but they unfortunately had a flat tyre.
“For the last 20 km I pushed on against a very strong wind and I am proud of that,” Mans said.
Mans (sub-veteran) was followed four minutes later by Clinton Hilfiker (masters), while Danzel de Koe (elite men) secured the overall third position. Xavier Papo (elite men) was fourth, followed by sub-veteran Nelius Burger.
Ingram Cuff, another multiple winner in the series, likely experienced technical difficulties as he finished in overall tenth place and first of the veteran men.
Anri Krugel, who won the women’s 65km race, echoed the same sentiments as her Hollard-sponsored team-mate Mans.
Krugel said she had to battle the wind, but tried her best to mentally ignore it for most parts of the race, as she finished more than 19 minutes ahead of any opponent.
“It was tough and I just kept peddling. I did my best to try and ignore the wind.
“I think this route was more technical, because I saw quite a number of people falling in front of me,” Krugel said.
Jeanne Heunis came in second place, while Maike Bochert finished third, followed by Luanne van der Schyff and Monika Grossmann.
Drikus Coetzee, the previous winner at the Hollard Gravel & Dirt’s Otjiwa Safari Lodge event, said he was disappointed after his bike gave him problems.
“I was doing well until I got a flat tyre which made it impossible for me to chase the top three.
“I am however going to bounce back since there are a few events remaining in the series,” Coetzee noted.
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