African Continental Mountain Bike Championships - CC

Windhook, Namibia, July 28 - 29, 2007

2006 Results Results

Stander takes African Crown

By Gavin Wren

Mannie Heymans finally surrendered his African mountain bike continental championship title to South Africa's Burry Stander, when he came third in Windhoek Saturday. Heymans had dominated the event over the past nine years, winning the title in 1999, 2001, and 2003, but this time the task was too much for the 36-year-old Namibian, and Stander won the title with ease.

At the age of 19, Stander represents the new generation, and the young rider immediately took the lead from the start. Heymans moved into second position, but he could not keep up with Stander, who gradually pulled away over the rocky and steep mountainside to the north of the new Presidential palace.

By the fourth of six laps, Ben Melt Swanepoel of South Africa passed his professional teammate, Heymans, to move into second place, but by now, Stander was too far ahead to be caught.

Stander went on to win the 43km race in a time of 2:02:32, finishing more than nine minutes ahead of Swanepoel (2:11:38). Heymans finished third in a time of 2:12:37, followed by South Africa's John Paul Pearton (2:13:59) and Kevin Evans (2:20:09). Stander was delighted with his victory and offered nothing but praise for the organisation and Namibian hospitality.

"It was an awesome track with some great scenery. My legs felt good from the start, and I managed to build up a comfortable lead. The organisation was great, and the many spectators along the way gave us great support," Stander said. Besides winning the overall, Stander also won the men's Under 23 category, with Namibia's Ermin van Wyk taking second and Craig Paul of South Africa in third.

With his third place finish, Heymans managed to win a place for Namibia at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The top two countries at the African Championships were guaranteed places.

The vice president of the Namibia Cyling Federation, Glenn Howard, was ecstatic at the result, saying that they had achieved their objective. "It was tough for Mannie, at the age of 36, but it was our goal to qualify for the Olympics and it's fantastic that he achieved that for us," he said.

Howard also praised Tony Bassingthwaighte, who set the course, saying it met the high standards of the chief referee from South Africa, Arno Neethling. Cyclists from five countries – Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Rwanda – participated at the African Championships.

Results

Elite/U23 Women

1 Yolande Speedy (South Africa)          1.42.43
2 Amy-Jane Mundy (South Africa)             2.46
3 Tania Raats (South Africa)                8.21
4 Sara Muhl (South Africa)                 13.31
5 Carmen Bassingthwaighte (Namibia)        16.39 U23
6 Heletje Van Staden (Namibia)             29.26 U23

Elite/U23 Men

1 Burry Stander (South Africa)           2.02.32 U23
2 Ben-Melt Swanepoel (South Africa)         9.06
3 Mannie Heymans (Namibia)                 10.05
4 John-Paul Pearton (South Africa)         11.27
5 Kevin Evans (South Africa)               17.37
6 Johan Van Zyl (South Africa)             20.24
7 Ermin Van Wyk (Namibia)                  20.58 U23
8 Marc Bassingthwaighte (Namibia)          22.02
9 Craig Paul (South Africa)                22.09 U23

1 lap down

10 Marthinus Esmeyer (South Africa)
11 Antipass Kwari (Zimbabwe)
12 Adrien Niyonshuti (Rwanda)
13 Nathan Bukusenge (Rwanda)
14 Gerard Dirks (South Africa)

2 laps down

15 Wonder Matenje (Zimbabwe)
16 Prince Ngundu (Zimbabwe)                      U23
17 Byron Munyoro (Zimbabwe)
18 Rafiki Uwimana (Rwanda)
DNF Abraham Ruhumuriza (Rwanda)
DNF Victor Nakalenga (Namibia)
DNF Wynandt Gouws (Namibia)                      U23
DNS Jacques Celliers (Namibia)
DNS Justice Makhale (South Africa)

Junior Women

1 Melanie Palframan (South Africa)       1.38.59
2 Genee Steyn (South Africa)               15.05

Junior Men

1 Timothy Stark (South Africa)           2.02.00
2 Jan Hendrik Verdoes (Namibia)             6.32
3 Kim Joerges (Namibia)                    13.01
4 Heiko Redecker (Namibia)                 23.49
5 Jean Philippe Tyack (Mauritius)          28.42

1 lap down

6 Bryce Munro (South Africa)

Youth Women

1 Vera Adrian (Namibia)                  1.06.32
2 Ane Hoepfner (Namibia)                   14.02

Youth Men

1 Rourke Croeser (South Africa)          1.31.28
2 Adriaan Louw (South Africa)               2.55
3 Frank Adrian (Namibia)                   11.20
DNF Jacobus Van Zyl (South Africa)

Sub Veteran Women

1 Monika Grossmann (Namibia)             1.51.49
2 Charmaine Shannon (Namibia)               0.52

Sub Veteran Men

1 Tokkie Bombosch (Namibia)              1.50.00
2 Fabrice Leclezio (Mauritius)             11.54
3 Trevor Volker (Zimbabwe)                 38.36

1 lap down

4 Lee Mc Nab (Zimbabwe)
5 Warren Carne (Zimbabwe)

Veteran Women

1 Margie Gibson (Zimbabwe)               1.54.23
2 Bridget O'Meara (South Africa)            2.25

Veteran Men

1 Chris Nel (South Africa)               1.48.24
2 Paddy Murphy (Namibia)                    6.49
3 Johan Fourie (Namibia)                   11.20
4 Aidan De Lange (Namibia)                 13.41
5 Wayne Davidson (Zimbabwe)                18.02
6 Rolf Adrian (Namibia)                    18.50
7 Kai Grossmann (Namibia)                  35.07
8 Gustav Gouws (Namibia)                   39.48