South African National Championships - CN

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, March 16, 2008

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Race 2 - March 16: Cross Country - Elite/Under 23 men

Stander, Heymans take titles

Burry Stander claimed a sixth successive South African cross-country title
Photo ©: SA MTB

An international rule applied at the last minute saw the separation of the Under-23 and Elite men at the Mazda MTN South African Cross-country Mountain Bike Championships in Pietermaritzburg at the weekend. But the surprise ruling and wet conditions failed to put a damper on the event and ultimately resulted in two high quality races.

Previously, the two categories raced together in a Pro-Elite class race at SA Cup and national championships events. However an International Cycling Union (UCI) official in Pietermaritzburg stepped in as the riders were gathered on the start line and requested the two categories race separately.

In the Under-23 event Burry Stander (Mr Price GT), was a dominant victor, securing his third successive national title and his sixth in total, following the three he won as a Junior. Stander was in control from the start on a course with lots of short, steep climbs and mud, conditions he's become accustomed on the European and North American courses he races on regularly.

"It was a bit disappointing that they split us, but those are the rules" said Stander, who finished sixth at the 2007 Under-23 world championships. "It did dilute the quality of the field a bit, but I still raced as hard as I could and am very happy to have won another SA champs title. It was also satisfying to have the fastest time of the day."

In the Elite race, Brandon Stewart (USN), inspired by enthusiastic hometown support, charged into an early lead at a very quick pace. But as he started lap four for the second half of the race, Mannie Heymans (MTN Energade), caught and passed him and went on to claim the victory.

Stewart held on to finish second with Johan van Zyl (Mr Price GT), Melt Swanepoel (MTN Energade) and Marc Bassingthwaighte (Trek Garmin) rounding out the top five places. Because Heymans and Bassingthwaighte are Namibian, the national title went to Stewart with Van Zyl and Swanepoel collecting the silver and bronze medals respectively.

"I've been training for cross-country racing as well as marathon racing this year, so I was very prepared for this race," explained Stewart afterwards. "I'm riding full time now which makes a big difference. It feels really good to win a national title!"

For Heymans, the overall victory was important as it confirmed his selection to represent Namibia at the Beijing Olympic Games, the veteran's third Olympics.

"I didn't have a great year last year and I told the Namibian Federation that if I didn't prove myself at the SA Champs, I would happily step aside from the Olympic team. But I showed today that I've still got what it takes and feel my selection is justified," smiled Heymans.

The organisers took the rider's times and still did a combined overall Pro-Elite class prizegiving, which Stander secured ahead of Heymans and Stewart respectively.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by SA MTB

Burry Stander claimed a sixth successive South African cross-country title when he won the Under-23 race in Pietermaritzburg at the weekend. Stander, ranked 25th in the world, also had the fastest race time of the day.

Results

Elite (6 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Mannie Heymans (MTN Energade – NAM)       2.07.10
2 Brandon Stewart (USN – RSA)                  1.36
3 Johan van Zyl (Mr Price GT – RSA)            4.20
4 Melt Swanepoel (MTN Energade – RSA)          7.52
5 Marc Bassingthwaighte (Trek Garmin – NAM)    8.46
 
Under-23 (6 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Burry Stander (Mr Price GT)               2.06.42
2 Renay Goustra (Red Mongoose)                 4.13
3 Francois Theron (Red Mongoose)               5.32
 
Junior (5 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Rourke Croeser (Red Mongoose)             1.57.57
2 Adriaan Louw                                 1.11
3 Jedson Tooms                                 9.47
 
Youth (4 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Arno du Toit                              1.36.20
2 James Gerber                                 2.17
3 Ruan du Toit                                 3.33
 
Sub-junior (3 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Jac-Johann Steyn                          1.47.43
2 Ruan Erasmus                                16.52
3 Luke Dinkel                                 16.54
 
Sub-veteran (4 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Paul Cordes                               1.38.25
2 Jeroen Swart                                 1.30
3 Geddan Ruddock                               1.39
 
Veteran (3 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Damian Booth                              1.22.34
2 Chris Nel                                    3.37
3 Michael Winterbottom                        11.37
 
Master (3 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Kim Phillips                              1.46.40
2 Frank Soll                                   4.51
3 Neil Fourie                                  7.17
 
Grand Master (2 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Keith O'Leary                             1.46.17
2 Kobus du Plessis                            30.00
 
Intermediate (3 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Dion Froneman                             1.22.44
2 Vian Kotze                                  13.37
3 Sandile Ngubane                             15.17
 
Sprog (2 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Alan Hatherly                             1.17.47
2 Ivan Venter                                 14.15
3 Kyle Walker                                 21.56
 
Sport (2 x 6.3km laps)
 
1 Welcome Nene                              1.12.19
2 Spha Buthelezi                               2.06
3 Tyne van der Merwe                           7.19
 
Nipper (1 x 6.3km lap)
 
1 Matthew Dinham                            1.09.32