The past weekend saw some 2 000 cyclists descend on Makhado for participation in the 22nd annual PPC Kremetart Cycle races.

For many it was an epic ride, which saw early-morning smiles disappear as each of the four stages of the 175km main event took more and more out of riders. A chilly and strong side wind in the Waterpoort/Vivo stage also did not make it easier for riders, and by lunchtime, many were already minutes off their pace compared to previous years.

Saturday’s strong wind did not, however, deter the top names and teams in South African cycling, with team Tasol GT putting in a strong performance to take three of the four stages in the senior men’s race. Tasol GT’s David Maree clinched the yellow jersey in the first 53km stage from Makhado to Waterpoort, with Willie Smith from team Toyota CSA cycling home in second place and Hanco Kachellhoffer (Tasol GT) in third place.

Team Tasol also did well to secure teammate Nolan Hoffman a stage win in the relatively flat Waterpoort-to-Vivo stage. It was between him and team Bonitas's Johan Rabie at the sprint to the finish, with Rabie finishing second and Maree clinching third place.

With the wind now almost at their backs, stage three from Waterpoort to Schoemansdal took place at a blistering pace. The gruelling uphill stage finish at Schoemansdal saw the top riders having to push hard at the end, with Maree securing his second stage win and Smit once again in second place and Kachelhoffer again in third place.

At the start of the final 22km stage back to Makhado, the only thing that stood between the riders and the finishing line was the 4km climb at Otto’s Hoogte. From there it was a downhill sprint to the finish. This time round, Kachelhoffer was just too strong, finishing first, followed by Julius Corbet in second place and Maree third.

Maree’s two stage wins were enough for him to be crowned overall winner in a combined time of 04:23:48. Kachelhoffer was second overall in 04:23:52, with Willie Smit a mere second later in overall third place in 04:23:53.

The women’s race was a one-woman affair, with An-Li Pretorius from team MTN-Qhubeka snatching victory in all four stages from defending champion and Kremetart Brand Ambassador Anriette Schoeman. Schoeman, riding for Mecer NMMU, this year only managed four second-place finishes in each of the stages. With four stage wins under her belt, Pretorius was crowned overall women’s winner in a combined time of 05:20:39, with Schoeman in second position overall in a combined time of 05:20:43 and Cycle Lab Toyota’s Lynette Burger third in a time of 05:21:19.

The 70km race was dominated by local riders, with members of the P&L Cycling Club taking first, second and third position in the men’s race. CP van Wyk cycled home in a time of 02:03:10, with AFB Makhado’s Shaun Constable in second place in 02:05:02 and Marco Roets third in 02:10:44.

The 70km women’s race was clinched by Leandri Jansen van Rensburg (Cycle Lab Super Cycling) in 02:17:18, with Alison Lailvaux second in 02:33:56 and Vanessa Record (Jakaranda Cycling Club) third in 02:43:33.