Gravel & Dirt’s fighters dominate Auas leg
Rider spirits uninhibited
The sixth leg of the Gravel & Dirt series, powered by Hollard, did not lack action this past weekend and set the tone for the final instalment of the series.
The sixth leg of the Gravel & Dirt series, powered by Hollard, set the tone for the final instalment of the series. A challenging course tested the limits of riders and joggers as the usual course at Auas Safari Lodge was reversed.
Instead of enjoying a downhill ride or run, participants were challenged to climb to over a thousand metres above sea level.
Beloved cyclists Gerhard Mans and Ingram Cuff continued their hardy battle for the series title, seemingly crossing the finish line within mere centimetres of one another.
Eventually, Mans placed first overall, with Cuff trailing mere split seconds behind him. On record, both men came in at 02:25.00.
It was a tough third place for elite men’s rider Kai Pritzen, who placed third overall with a time difference of one second, clocking in at 02:25.01 in the 66 km distance after Mans and Cuff.
Welcome back
Jeanne Heunis and Candice Wiggill continued their streak from the Omaruru leg of the race, placing first and third overall in the women’s category after completing the full distance. Heunis placed first overall in the women’s full division in a time of 02:35.39.
The Gravel & Dirt series proudly welcomed elite rider Monique Du Plessis back after an extended break from the series to focus on other cycling items.
Du Plessis managed the 66 km in a time of 02:41.09 leaving mere seconds before Candice Wiggil claimed third overall with 02:45.14 on the clock.
Despite taking a wrong turn on the track, the ladies decided to power ahead to finish the race together - a decision that ultimately allowed organisers and timekeepers to determine a fair time.
Wrong turn
"We all went right when we should have gone left. Eventually, we all came together when we got to the fence and decided to keep going together," Du Plessis said.
The wrong turn was quickly forgotten when other matters came to light.
The debate on reversing the track back to its original form quickly arose and left participants at a crossroads.
"This course really took it out of the legs," said the women's overall winner, Heunis.
Her closest competitor, Du Plessis, is undoubtedly in favour of the original track, while Mans proposes alternating the direction of the track.
The spirit of the Gravel & Dirt series, however, remains unprecedented as riders prepare to tackle the final leg of the series.