The Sappi 60km Karkloof Classic, the feature race of the Sappi Karkloof Classic MTB Festival, saw Brendon Davids (Team Jeep) reign victorious over fellow elite stars Rourke Croeser (Kargo Pro MTB) and Travis Walker (Team Jeep) after an enthralling cycling shootout through one of the country's leading MTB facilities, whilst Jeannie Dreyer claimed a deserved win in the women's race.
After two days of non -stop rainfall which saw the festival's Peri Night Race on Friday and Saturday's Stihl Karkloof Enduro staged in exceptionally challenging conditions, Mother Nature finally smiled upon the region on Sunday morning and the over two and a half thousand entrants took to the muddy yet manageable trails in warm conditions and under clear blue skies. Despite the tricky conditions Davids' class saw him complete his maiden victory at the event.
"I'm super stoked with how things went for me today and it's definitely a nice result ahead of the first two Worlds Cups that are coming up." said Davids. "It was obviously muddy, more so on the climbs than the single track, but it really wasn't too bad. It's a great course here at Karkloof with some really special features," said the 'Maritzburg College old boy. "That new Bat out of Hell descend from Lebanon is possibly my favourite trail I've ever ridden! As we crested Lebanon the view from up there was simply breath taking. As we got to the top I thought we were could see a load of clouds in the distance but then I realized all the white was actually the snow capped mountains in the background and it was just an amazing, amazing sight!"
The highly competitive ladies field also produced a race to remember as Jeannie Dreyer (USN/Hi-Tec), wife of Dusi Canoe Marathon legend and keen mountain bike competitor Martin Dreyer, claimed what was a comfortable victory in the end over Ashleigh Moffatt (BMC-SA) whilst Yolandi du Toit (Team Bizhub) claimed third.
"I've been off the bike for a couple of years with the birth of children but I've been back riding competitively since the Triple Challenge in November last year and it's been a really good six months since then," said Dreyer.
Moffatt, having just returned earlier this week from a hugely successful European tour, has been in good form in recent weeks. Unfortunately she was just unable to match Dreyer's performance on the day, crossing the line over nine minutes behind the leader.
"I'm still really happy with my performance today," said Moffatt. "And it's great to be back on home ground again too!"
In the aQuellé 40km Half Marathon it was Westville Boys' High School matric pupil Wade Finch who claimed a comfortable six minute victory over Dani Jensen (Varsity College) and James Damant (Kargo Pro MTB).
The day also played host to the aQuellé 20km Family Race and aQuellé 10km Kids Ride which saw hundreds of cycling enthusiasts young and old and of all walks of life take to the trails, bringing down the curtain on all yet another Sappi Karkloof Classic MTB Festival.
Main Photograph: Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
Below Photograph: Kyle Gilham/ Gameplan Media
