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SA’S PRETORIUS WINS 3 RESERVES MTB

22/09/2019 10:47:00 Sanele Jele

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SIMUNYE – Visiting South Africa’s cyclist Rudolf Pretorius was the winner of the Swazi 3 Reserves Mountain Bike Cycle race held at Simunye Country Club.

The 29-year-old managed to finish the race in 2:52:51 hours, beating strong contenders in William Kelly and Sihawu Dlamini, who came close to winning it. Pretorius had to manoeuvre through the trails and hills of the three reserves namely, Mbuluzi, Hlane and Mlawula to race to the top. Kelly clocked 2:54:37 hours while Dlamini finished in 2:54:39 hours. “Well I was happy to win this race for the first time. It was challenging but I managed to race to the top. It was a great race. I’m looking to defending it next time,” Pretorius said.

He further said training hard and determination helped him win the 73km race which started and finished at Simunye Country Club. Meanwhile, William Kelly said the reason they came second and third with Sihawu was because Pretorius continued to ride when they stopped at some water point. Shinning in the ladies overall category in the main race was South Africa’s Sandra Haywood, who has made the venue her happy hunting ground. She clocked 03:16:00 hours while second was Davis Carla on 4:04:27 hours Smith Laiken was third on 3:14:04 hours.
“It was tough but I endured it to the finish line. I have won the race for the third time. Last year I was not part of the race because I had to undergo a heart operation and I am happy to come back and win it,” said Haywood, who was riding with her partner Evereth Haywood.

In the 43km event, Gert Peens won while in the ladies category Jessica Svacha was victorious in 1:45:55 hours. The 23km was ruled by Sabelo Dlamini in 56:22 minutes while in the female category Norael Schiller reigned supreme. Shining in the 10km overall was Mario Schiller in 31:54 minutes while in the ladies category Libby Ralfe was the best arriving home in 38:21.