Candice Lill and Tyler Jacobs put in a performance worthy of a five-star review as they completed a perfect clean sweep of FNB Wines2Whales Chardonnay stage wins.
Efficient Infiniti Racing’s Vera Looser and Sarah Hill had a strong race to finish second on the general classification. Margot Moschetti and Costanza Fasolis of e-Fort rebounded after some misfortune to claim third in the final general classification. Here’s your photo epic and final GC results.
Candice Lill and Tyler Jacobs were the opening day’s big winners as they started their title defence with a commanding stage victory of almost 7 minutes.Though the Lourensford trails were just the start for the 2024 teams. From the first farm they crossed into Vergelegen, skirting the nature reserve, through Idom Wines and to the foot of the Gantouw Pass portage.The 66 kilometre stage, from Lourensford to Oak Valley, took in 1 350 meters of climbing and some of the best trails ever ridden in FNB W2W. “There’s some great new singletracks in FNB Wines2Whales this year,” said Sarah Hill.After running their bikes up the mountain, the singletracks recommenced with the A to Z and Willie’s Trails, en route to the Elgin Grabouw Country Club. A final climb, to the Waterfall Trail, took the teams into Oak Valley and the downhill bound to the race villageand finish of the opening day.Saturday’s single track packed stage on the trails of Oak Valley Estate and Paul Cluver Wine Estates was tailor made for race leaders Tyler Jacobs and Candice Lill.Ooops.What a place to ride!By the 33 kilometre mark, Tyler Jacobs and Candice Lill held a 45 second advantage.The 66 kilometre route on Saturday took in many of the Elgin Valley’s best trails, including Vissie’s Magic, Sound of Silence, Cow’s Trail, Witklipplies, Rietvlei Magic and the rebuilt Pofadder 4.0. In the end, Stage 2 suited the World Cup XC racers to perfection and they were able to add a further 4:57 onto their general classification advantage over their nearest rivals, Vera Looser and Sarah Hill.Sunday’s final stage featured the 64 kilometre route from Oak Valley, in Elgin, to Benguela Cove, on the banks of the Botrivier Lagoon.After an undulating start the course drops, down the Katpas, to Botrivier, Wildekrans and Geneive MCC. The Karwyders Contour and Gaf se Bos gain elevation but the ascent to the Church trail is the longest of the day. From the summit it is effectively all downhill to Benguela Cove and Chardonnay celebrations.Ila Stow flows with partner Katie Lennard.Candice Lill and Tyler Jacobs put more than 2 minutes into the rest on the final day to take a comfortable GC win. Chapeau to all involved.
For the full results of race, click here | IMAGES: Max Sullivan, Sam Clark |
