Love at first sight at Blythedale Coastal Resort MTB Challenge !

The inaugural Blythedale Coastal Resort MTB Challenge was held in near perfect race conditions after the overnight rain left the course in pristine conditions and gave some relief to the weekend’s heat and humidity.
Andrew Warr (Muscle & Fitness) ripped the field up to clock a fast winning time for the 40km Classic of one hour, twenty-four minutes and 27 seconds. Junior Brendon Davids (Team Jeep) took second place in a time of 1:27:09 with Peter Smith (Team Jeep) in third place just twenty seconds back. The rush was on in the top five as Craig Paul (Team Jeep) placed fourth two seconds behind Smith and Sean Merredew took fifth on the same time while wining the Sub-Veteran category.

The women’s race was dominated by Eszter Erdelyi Cluer (Multigirl Jeep) who arrived home in an impressive ninth position overall. Multisporter Jean Hackland took second place with Claire Matthews a few seconds back in third place.

Multisport School youngster Craig Jarrett took the win in the 19km race ahead of Bryce Rawlins and James Damant. Debbie Edwards was first home in the women’s field with Karen Lategan and Trudy Foster following in close pursuit.

More than 430 riders took part and were challenged to a diverse terrain which saw them riding through dense coastal forest, cane fields and a section of beach. The course started at the Cane and Spoke mountain bike trail centre and wound its way through most of Blythedale Coastal Resort. The two routes encompassed the resort’s 320-hectare indigenous forest, 3km stretch of beach and spectacular views.
Mark Taylor, CEO of the eLan Property Group, the developers of Blythedale Coastal Resort said, “We are delighted that so many riders got to experience the beauty of Blythedale. The race was just a taste of the unique lifestyle on offer at the resort.”

Further results and photo’s available on www.blythedale.co.za

RESULTS 40km Classic, Men overall: A Warr 1h24.27, B Davids 1h27.09, P Smith 1h27.30. Women overall: E Erdelyi Cluer 1h36.38, J Hackland 1h54.43, C Matthews 1h54.58.
20km, Men: C Jarrett 1h10.43, B Rawlins 1h10.57, J Damant 1h15.34. Women: D Edwards 1h34.22, K Lategan 1h34.51, T Foster 1h35.23.

Max Cluer Sports Marketing is proud to present the second Hewlett Packard Urban Rage MTB Assault Race presented by Jeep Apparel on Saturday 12th December.

This event was held for the first time in December last year and brought something unusual and refreshing to the world of the two-wheeled sport. What is unique about this event is the integration of technology with ‘Generation X’ – the generation that is redefining technology through communication, business and leisure and made it personal with the incorporation of Web 2.0 media into aspects of everyday life with products like You Tube, FaceBook and My Space.

The concept of a short, technical and thrilling course remains the same but this year participants and spectators can look forward to a shorter, more compact course along with more viewing points and grand stands for viewing and the opportunity for the public to participate in various competitions. Entries will be encouraged in the Cool Cats (Teams of 2) and Corporate Cats (Teams of 3) categories while this is also a good opportunity for individuals to team up and ride the course more frequently in their quest to take the honours in the Super Cats final at the end of the day.

The youngsters will be included in the fun and action with their own event in the morning in the ‘Kitty Cat’ race on a special course through uShaka Marine World. Entry fee includes free entry to uShaka Marine World for one child and parent and a free dolphin show!