“Hot Trails and High Spirits: Ford Trailseeker Mountain Bike Race Unleashes Excitement in the Cradle Moon”
The Cradle Moon echoed with the sound of eager mountain bikers, as over 2000 enthusiasts gathered for the second race in the Ford Trailseeker MTB series. The magical atmosphere began before dawn, with registrations opening under the sliver of the moon and stars at 5:30 am. Despite the arrival of autumn and the delayed sunrise, the record-high temperatures set the stage for an unforgettable day of racing.
As the sun began its ascent, the pros took center stage, undeterred by the scorching temperatures. Team Pyga Euro Steel dominated the podium, with Pieter Du Toit (2:23:01) leading the charge in the elite men’s race, crossing the finish line in an impressive sprint with Philip Buys who secured the second spot in 2:23:02, closely followed by Michael Foster, who completed the podium with a time of 2:24:42.
The #2 Cradle Trailseeker, a new addition to the series, proved to be a challenging yet exhilarating venue. Described by some riders as three XC races rolled into one marathon event, the course lived up to its classification as the hardest in the series. With temperatures soaring into the mid to high 30s, participants navigated through a diverse range of trail conditions – from flowing single trails, berms, and switchbacks to refreshing forest sections with moist, sticky cornering.
The elite women’s race witnessed a standout performance by Sarah Hill, who clinched victory with a time of 02:58:04 the only woman to finish sub 3 hours. “My Epic legs came through; I had a really good day, and it’s probably my all-time favorite Trailseeker,” exclaimed the elated women’s champion. Nicolette Griffioen secured the second position in the women’s race with a time of 03:05:28, followed by Tania Bester, who claimed the third spot in 03:12:47.
The Ford Trailseeker MTB series at Cradle Moon showcased not only the tenacity and skill of the riders but also the breathtaking beauty of the Cradle Moon environment. As the day drew to a close on this exhilarating event, the lingering camaraderie, passion, and genuine love for mountain biking infused the atmosphere, setting the stage for participants to eagerly anticipate the next thrilling installment of the series.
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