TZANEEN – Alan Gordon claimed top honours in the gruelling 130km race at the Gravelotte Gravel Grinder MTB event on Saturday, October 24, finishing the longest distance of the day in an impressive 04:22:10.0.

Gordon emerged victorious from a field of 24 cyclists, also securing first place in the men’s 30-39 sub-veteran category.

Chantal Weyers delivered a strong performance in the women’s division, completing the 130km route in 05:28:08.6 to claim the overall women’s title and victory in the 30–39 sub-veteran category.

Other notable performances in the 130km race included Anton Lombard, who won the men’s 50-59 masters category in 04:56:05.4, and Werner Steyn, who secured the men’s 40-49 veterans’ title in 04:59:50.9.

Neels van der Merwe claimed the men’s 60-plus grandmasters title in 05:08:00.5, while Petrusa du Toit won the women’s 40-49 veterans category in 05:51:44.1. Shani van den Heever took the women’s 50-59 master’s title in 06:29:06.3.

Strong turnout across all race categories

The event attracted 238 cyclists across six race categories, covering distances of 15km, 30km, 60km and 130km, including separate 30km and 60km e-bike races.

60km race

In the 60km race, which attracted 58 riders, Elrick Opperman, of Merensky Agricultural Academy, claimed overall victory in 02:02:29.7, also winning the boys’ 15–16 category. Joshua Robertson finished just behind him in 02:02:30.3, taking the junior men’s title. Elané Visser was the fastest female in 02:16:02.1.

Other category winners included Frikkie Opperman (men’s 40–49), Jeffrey Botha (men’s 60+) and Martie Broodryk (women’s 50–59).

30km race

Rion Opperman won the 30km race, which attracted 67 cyclists, in 01:01:55.5, also claiming the boys’ 13–14 title. Mia Venter was the fastest female in 01:24:07.4, narrowly ahead of Dorothy de Lange (01:24:07.5).

Other category winners included Gerhard Booysen, Jéan Bordeaux Martin, Zander van Onselen, Kaylen Erasmus and Thabiso Tjatjie.

15km race draws biggest field

The 15km race drew the largest field of 78 cyclists, with u/10 rider Ritge Joubert taking overall victory in 34:57.1. Leah-Mari van Deventer was the fastest female in 51:22.1. Other category winners included Sophie Niemann, Giovanni Naudé, Katrien van Tonder and HJ Pretorius.

E-bike winners

In the e-bike events, Dale de Lange won the 30km race in 01:13:22.0, with Cornel Jordaan the fastest female in 01:26:32.7. Tertius Robertson claimed the 60km e-bike title in 02:19:17.3, while Lisa Michelle Botha won the women’s division in 02:23:23.7.