ISUZU ambassadors Sibusiso Vilane and Alec Riddle made their FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Adventure debut in 2013. In 2014, however, they’ve decided to up the ante by taking on their very first FNB W2W MTB Race the weekend of 07 – 09 November 2014.
“The 2013 FNB W2W MTB Adventure had all that an adventurer would like to experience,” says Vilane, who is one of South Africa’s top mountaineers. “This year in preparation for the event I will definitely put in more mileage on the mountain bike and will try to find a few technical routes in my area for assimilation training. Our strength as a team is our ability to adapt to each other, not take things too seriously and always do our best. The event has a lot to offer any mountain biker, scenery, it’s challenging and the trails are nicely done. The whole set up and staging of the race is world class”.
According to 2011 World Half Ironman gold medallist, Alec Riddle, they are hoping to go a whole lot faster than last year’s 23 hours. “I have much respect for Sibusiso as an adventurer and a sportsman, but most importantly as a human being. He is an incredible guy and I really enjoyed his humour. Last year when I asked him if we should tackle a steep downhill, his response was ‘Alec, rather a live donkey than a dead lion, let’s walk’,” laughs Riddle. “This year I will be 10kgs lighter, as some of those hills were tough. I’d recommend the FNB W2W MTB Events to other mountain bikers because the organisation is unbelievable, while the camaraderie amongst the participants is awesome”.
Sibusiso Vilane and Alec Riddle will once again be riding under the team name ISUZU Adventurers.
EVENT INFORMATION:
Starting in the Winelands of Somerset West, riders will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
- FNB WINES2WHALES MTB ADVENTURE: 31 October 2014 until 02 November 2014
- FNB WINES2WHALES MTB RIDE: 03 November 2014 until 05 November 2014
- FNB WINES2WHALES MTB RACE: 07 November 2014 until 09 November until 2014
STAGE ONE:
| Distance: | 76km |
| Start: | Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West) |
| Finish: | Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin) |
STAGE TWO:
| Distance: | 68km |
| Start: | Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin) |
| Finish: | Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin) |
STAGE THREE:
| Distance: | 77km |
| Start: | Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin) |
| Finish: | Onrus Caravan Park (just outside Hermanus) |
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Source: Newsport Media
