Jeep Tribune Hill2Hill, 18th September

This event follows quite a different format than most MTB races as it is point to point race which takes place between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
This 105km Marathon started in Hilton and finished at the Shongweni Polo Club grounds in Hillcrest, hence the name Hill2Hill.

Riders lined up early Sunday morning for the 6 O’clock start. Later during the day when the sun was scorching down on us it became clear why riders were set of so early. War stories after the race revealed that some riders who weren’t racing even stopped at some river crossings to swim just to relieve themselves from the heat.

The woman’s race set off at quite a fast tempo as Cross Country specialist Mariska Strauss (Team Contego) set the pace from the start. The first few kilometres of the race was mainly on single track through forest before heading onto a small section of tar in Pietermaritzburg. Until this point Candice Neethling(Team Bizhub) was on her own in front, I was chasing a few meters behind her and a few meters behind me were Mariska Strauss and Ischen Stopforth (Team Bizhub). We all regrouped before the Queen of the mountain sprint 25km into the race. On the crest of the Climb the group was reduced to 3 riders as Candice was tailed off slightly. Soon after passing the 2nd water point at around the 30km mark, Mariska also slipped off on a short steep climb. The climb was followed by a descent which led into some technical single track. Once out of the single track I was on my own and just set into a comfortable rhythm.

Ischen and I reached the 5th waterpoint together at around the 87km mark. Ischen was very intent on winning the race and surged on the lower slopes of the climb leading away from the waterpoint.
I decided to stick with my race strategy and ride at a steady pace as there was still a hard 15km stretch to the finish line.

Ischen Stopforth took the Victory at Hill2Hill with me following just behind to take 2nd place. Candice Neethling was set to finish in 3rd place, but unfortunately suffered a mechanical failure within the last 6km. She had no choice but to watch other riders pass her while pushing her bike to the finish line. Mariska Strauss also had a great ride coming off her European campaign to finish in 3rd place.