MOUNTAIN BIKING: Cape Pioneer Rattles the Karoo Once Again

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Words: Keegan Longueira | Photos: Oakpics

Cape Pioneer

Rattles the Karoo Once Again

The most exquisite mountain bike stage race in South Africa, the 2012 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek, once again attracted some 250 teams, but riders were in for some major changes and surprises, all being good of course.

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Held in the Western Province from 14 to 20 October 2012, the emphasis of this year's seven-day stage race, now a day longer than the 2011 event, was: enjoyment, although tough, always rewarding - the journey continues. And this pioneering philosophy was reflected in the route, which included shorter stages, flowing smooth single track, undulating scenic jeep track, and majestic scenery.

The Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, home to one of the most beautiful and untouched single tracks in South Africa, was the start of the Prologue and stage one event. Designed by local boy Matthys Beukes, rumours were spreading fast amongst the riders about the technicality of the route. But even the course creator couldn’t pip Kevin Evans and David George from Nedbank 360Life, who smashed the 15 km time trial in a time of 37:08, proving their prowess to all critics who had doubted their competitiveness after a long season of riding. And so the stage was set; Evans and George were there to race.

As racing progressed on day one, Evans and George continued to increase their advantage, but Nico Bell and Gawie Combrink had other plans. Picking up the pace on the second day they chased hard on the flats and kept the two top riders in their sights, to finish just a minute behind them on this long 103 km stage. “It’s a long race and a lot can happen,” said Bell, who was enthusiastic at the prizegiving on day one, having come second on the stage and moved into second on the general classification. 

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Trailing in the shadows, however, was a couple of famous riders who had managed to sneak into the race unnoticed and were quietly going about their business. These under-cover riders were Brett Cummings and Glen Grundy, a Witbank team that is racing in the 2013 Dakar Rally, and they had been using the Pioneer as some serious training ahead of their race. “The Pioneer tests you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's amazing for our fitness and it sure will do wonders for our motorbike riding,” said Glen on day one after fighting with his two-wheeled machine, which seemed to lack an engine, for the entire stage.

Main sponsor and Bridge's CEO, Elile Aldum, was also taking part. “We just had to get involved in the event,” said Aldum after riding in last year's race. Another big name in attendance was 2012 Gold Medallist at the London Olympics, James Thompson. When asked what was harder, mountain biking or rowing, he said, “Well in rowing if you screw something up, you have 800 m or so to deal with it. In mountain biking, you still need to deal with it for 100 km or so!"

Stage two was won by none other than Evans and George, after a power climb to the top of the Swartberg Pass. They claimed R100 000 in prize money; the biggest purse ever for a stage win in South Africa!

The top of the general classifications remained relatively unchanged as the riders headed through a generally flat stage three. Things got interesting along the section from De Rust to Louvain with its 25 km climb and the feared Kamanassie; one of the most untouched, untamed mountain ranges in the country and one that held a lot of terror for the top riders and back markers alike. The Pioneer is the only race where riders get the 'opportunity' to ride the tough, rocky hills up to a massive 1200 m above sea level. As was expected, the Kamanassie tore apart friendships and race plans at the top of general classifications, forcing many of the competitors, and even some of the elite riders, to swallow their pride and hoist their steeds onto their shoulders, and walk up the unforgiving terrain. 

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Thankfully, the weather played its part and the cool, overcast conditions were greatly welcomed, especially by those riders who had experienced this gruelling climb in blistering heat, in years gone by. "In 2010 I remember people passing out from heat exhaustion and dehydration, and the night after attempting the Kamanassie there were many riders on drips," said Glen Grundy. By midday, brakes had failed and riders had broken themselves trying to make their way up the almost impossibly steep descents and ridiculously challenging ascents. With day four done, the toughest two days in the race were over.

Heavy rain turned Louvain Guest Farm into a mud bath.and riders went to sleep in the rain and woke up in the rain. As a result of the unrelenting downpour, the motorbike crew and support bakkie both got stuck in the mud when trying to inspect the 15 km single track.

Conditions became so unfavourable that a decision was made to cut down the total distance of the second last day by 15 km. So this meant an easier and better day for the riders, right? No, not at all! Cyclists headed straight into a muddy climb and in no time three quarters of the field were off the bikes, staggering through the mud. However, words can hardly do justice to the view that awaited them at the top. On the horizon, beyond the clouds and light drizzle, was a spectacular blue sea. This was the rider's first glimpse of the great blue, and many stopped to soak in its magnificence.

By the end of the last day, the classifications stood as follows: Kevin Evans and David George, Gawie Combrink and Nico Bell, and Mattyhs Beukes and Ben Swanepoel. A major upset in the mixed classifications saw Kathrin Stirnemann and Sandro Soncin take the lead from the race favourites, Max Friedrich and Nadine Rieder, from Germany. 

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“We wanted to end the last day with a win,” said an ecstatic Evans after winning the final stage and securing a victory after seven long and very challenging days in the Karoo. Evans added that he'd had a tough day on the steep slopes of the Montagu Pass and admitted that it was George who had gotten him through.

Nonetheless, long-time teammates Evans and George put in an amazing performance to easily clinch the much coveted Cape Pioneer title. “That’s a wrap for the 2012 season, and what a great year we had with Nedbank 360Life,” said Evans, who now has his sights firmly set on the 2013 ABSA Cape Epic.

So as the 2012 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek came to a close, the general consensus amongst riders was the good, uncompromised quality of the route. Expectations had been high because of the shorter stage races, but riders had not been disappointed. And with a 40% increase in participants taking part in this year’s event, the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek looks set to become one of the most sought-after races on the mountain biking calendar! •

è Related articles:

• The Triple Challenge (Issue 18, p. 78) • Shuttle Days - A Fun MTB Ride for Everyone (Issue 15, p. 66)

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