(Boschendal Wine Estate, 6 March 2011) In another spectacular finish, Kevin Evans (Team 360life) emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural Columbia Grape Escape.

David George (Team 360life) claimed the second position with the German Karl Platt (Bulls) finishing in third place.   

Commenting on today’s stage, Evans had the following to say: “I feel awesome! This stage suited us – it was a shorter route with steeper climbs. David (George) and I put on the pressure early. I had some brake issues, so I wasn’t as fast on the down hills, but I’m glad I could come back to win today’s race.”

Platt admitted that perhaps he pushed too hard on Friday and Saturday. “I’m a bit disappointed, having won the first two stages of the Columbia Grape Escape, but it shows that I’m not 100% in perfect shape. I will need to do some more work before the Absa Cape Epic.”

“Hard” is how Cherise Taylor (USN), female winner of the Columbia Grape Escape, described today’s stage. “It is very seldom that race organisers manage to get a stage race right  the first time around and the organisers of the Grape Escape have managed to do that.”

MTB Challenge

A total of 5,100 unique riders participated in the Columbia Grape Escape and the Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge on Saturday and Sunday.

Philip Buys (Garmin Adidas) clinched the first position in the 52km MTB Challenge. “Those of us who did the MTB Challenge today got lucky with the weather. I’ve been supporting my team mates on the Grape Escape, and they have been experiencing very hot conditions. The 55km route was a great race with some nice single track – I enjoyed it.”  

“We are very pleased with how this weekend’s two events turned out. The fact that the Columbia Grape Escape experienced minimal teething problems is a great achievement and we’ve enjoyed some terrific feedback from the riders,” said David Bellairs, CEO of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust.

“We focused all our energy on successfully launching the Grape Escape, and in the process I think we somewhat neglected the 10^th anniversary of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge,” Bellairs continued. “It’s grown from 164 participants to a two-day event across four different routes. That’s not bad going.”

Stage 3 Race Results: Grape Escape

Men:

1^st – David George (02:19:16)

2 ^nd – Kevin Evans (02:19:16)

3^rd – Karl Platt (02:20:34)

Women:

1^st – Cherise Taylor (02:49:49)

2^nd – Hannele Steyn-Kotze (02:53:18)

3^rd – Hannelie Booyens (03:04:40)

Overall Race Results: Grape Escape

Men:

1^st – Kevin Evans (08:26:33)

2 ^nd – David George (08:26:43)

3^rd – Karl Platt (08:27:51)

Women:

1^st – Cherise Taylor (10:02:29)

2^nd – Hannele Steyn-Kotze (10:10:19)

3^rd – Hanlie Booyens (10:54:28)

A full set of results for all categories will be made available on www.racetec.co.za.

Race Results: 52km MTB Challenge

Men:

1^st – Philip Buys (02:02:40)

2 ^nd – Renay Groustra (02:05:19)

3^rd – Dominic Calitz (02:05:52)

Women:

1^st – Mariske Strausss (02:25:09)

2^nd – Ischen Stopforth (02:29:34)

3^rd – Tandi Kitching (02:42:13)

Race Results: 32km MTB Challenge

Men:

1^st – Johann De Bod (01:15:04)

2 ^nd – Paul Rautenbach (01:15:05)

3^rd – Edward Best (01:20:25)

Women:

1^st – Marie Heatlie (01:32:43)

2^nd – Nicole Erasmus (01:33:59)

3^rd – Cheri Richett (01:46:39)

ENDS

As in 2010, the MTB Challenge will again be split over two days, on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March 2011, taking place on the weekend preceding the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.

"For our tenth MTB Challenge, riders can look forward to an improved venue layout at Boschendal. I’ve also made some cool changes to the routes, so expect more than a few surprises,"  said Route Designer Meurant Botha.

The shorter routes have been scheduled for Saturday, 5 March:

• The 13km family ride is perfect for novice riders and families with children. This brand new route has a short climb in the first kilometre, but contains no technical surprises.
• The 25km mountain bike course is ideal for intermediate riders and requires moderate skill levels. There are a few sections of single track, but for the most part the route is flat and fast.

The longer routes will take place on Sunday 6 March:

• The 32km route is very strenuous. This route really is only for experienced riders who enjoy a technical challenge.
• The 52km MTB Challenge requires not only endurance but also excellent handling skills. This year the route will include additional climbing, but also some of the most beautiful Boland vistas.

How to enter

Riders can enter online by visiting www.mtbchallenge.co.za. Entries are limited to 4,750 so enter soonest to avoid disappointment. No late entries will be accepted on race day for the 25km, 32km and 52km routes.

Columbia Grape Escape

There are only about 100 entries left for the Columbia Grape Escape, the new 3-day MTB stage race taking place from 4 -6 March 2011. Entries have been limited to 750 riders and the cost ranges from R1,400 – R1,500 per rider. For more info and to enter online, visit www.grapeescape.co.za.

• DATE: 3 MARCH 2012

  

• DATE: 4 MARCH 2012

  

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