Growing in popularity, the annual Akkedis Mountain Bike Challenge once again lived up to expectations over the past weekend at the Schoemansdal EEC (Environmental Education Centre) outside Louis Trichardt  

Boasting spectacular scenery as well as a well-planned and -prepared route, competitors in all races had high regard for race organiser Johan van Dijkhorst and his team. For the fourth year running, this mountain bike race was presented by the Schoemansdal EEC in collaboration with the P&L Hardware Cycling Club.

The Akkedis consisted of three races (70km, 35km and 10km), while it also formed part of the Dirty Double series. This gives riders the opportunity to experience team stage racing. Teams of two riders entered for the 70km marathon on Saturday (26th) and a 30km time-trial on Sunday (27th).

Knocking off almost 10 minutes from last year’s winning time, Nico Bell raced to victory in the 70km race by crossing the finishing line in a time of 03:15:35. His closest competitor, Travis Slingerland, cycled home just over 20 minute later in a time of 03:35:18, followed by Freddie Pienaar in a time of 03:45:45.

In the women’s 70km event, fourth-year Akkedis competitor Adel Drake took top honours, completing the race in a time of 03:56:39. On her heals in second place was Sanet Smal in a time of 04:00:47. These ladies are ranked as top riders and this is evident from the fact that the third woman home was Louis Trichardt’s Noenie Mattheus in a time of 05:29:40 – almost an hour and a half after first two.

Among the many other local riders who cycled the 70km, Casper Venter (also second veteran) needs special mention as he finished 10th overall in a time of 04:16:14.

As for the Akkedis Dirty Double, the winners were Dana Coetzee and Anton Smal (04:26:13) of team GT Mr Price Red Mongoose. Byron Pienaar and Mark Bridges (05:11:18) were second and Sakkie van Wyk and Garry McNaugthon (05:17:29) third.

The 35km was won by Jacques Steenkamp in a time of 01:21:10, some 5 minutes better than last year’s winning time. Second was Stefan Bezuidenhout (01:22:50) with Louis Trichardt rider Daniel Kirk-Cohen finishing third in a respectable time of 01:23:34. The first woman home was Tarryn Brent in 01:37:47, followed by Henrike Venter (01:39:42) in second place and Susandra Albertyn third in 01:40:09.

Among the local riders who excelled in the race were Malcolm Tucker (first men’s master in 01:50:03), Amanda Kruger (first women’s veteran in 02:05:55) and Kathy Tucker (first women’s master in 02:23:31).