Bassingthwaighte, Van Staden excel in mountain bike race

THE second Tuhafeni Mountain Biking last Saturday saw Marc Bassingthwaighte en Heletje van Staden taking honours in their respective categories in the event held at Omaruru.

The two riders outclassed the men and woman competitors totally through exemplary application of sound judgement and skills, and having the stamina to complete the rough and tough ride efficiently. Bassingthwaighte who cycled in the elite men category, completed the 50 kilometre stretch in a record time of 1:53:20, only 2 seconds ahead of his closest rival Heiko Hennes.Van Staden secured gold in the junior ladies category and this 16-year-old girl was also the first lady to pass the finish line in a record time of 2:16:42.The event was sponsored by Coca-Cola, First National Bank, Dairenkia Motors, Prowealth, Nexus Building Contractors, Engen Hochland, Medical Imaging & Bio-Dynamics.These fundamental sponsors were backed by the Omaruru Business Community as well as by the friendly people of Omaruru.Hundred and twenty-two riders lined up to crank the fifty as well as the twenty-five or 10-kilometre rides that were on offer.The route took riders through rocks and ruts, single and jeep tracks … demanding endurance and skill from participants to successfully complete the rides.The magnificent route that was set out by Dr.Dan Craven from Omaruru, amazed and impressed mountain bikers.They experienced the thrill and challenge of using skill and intelligence to anticipate, negotiate and triumph over whatever the trail had to throw at them.”The elation of slogging up the Omaruru Koppie, to be awarded by a view, which, for a time, belongs only to the mountain biker, de-stresses and provides peace of mind, is intoxicating and addictive” according to Africa U/23 MTB Champion, Bassingthwaighte.The next Tuhafeni Mountain Biking event is scheduled to take place at the Stampriet Jagfees on July 3 2004 at 09h00.Contact Koos at 081 293 2073 or Seun at 081 129 3115.Results of the Omaruru Rough Ride is the following; Elite men (50km) 1.Bassingthwaighte, Marc 1:53:20 2.Hennes, Heiko 2:53:22 3.Bruce, Hugh 2:16:40 Elite Ladies (50km) 1.Elliot, Dianne 2:36:06 2.Lottering, Emmarine 3:37:39 Junior Ladies (50km) 1.Van Staden, Heletje 2:16:47 2.Bassingthwaithte, Carmen 2:39:22 Junior men (50km) 1.Krenz, Falco 2:12:29 Veteran men (50km) 1.Gouws, Gustav 2:08:42 2.De Goede, Patrick 2:11:08 3.Fourie, Johan 2:14:32 Veteran Ladies (50km) 1.Bassingthwaighte, Sigi 2:32:26 2.Mitchell, Zoe 2:42:58 3.Kolberg, Claire 2:58:28 Master Men (50) 1.van Staden, Koos 2:07:35 2.Muir, Chris 2:19:40 3.Craven, Dan 2:19:55 Funride Men (25km) 1.Blaauw, Jaco 1:21:44 2.Gouws, Wynandt 1:34:58 3.Ellion, Terence 1:35:30 Funride Women (25km) 1.van Staden, Jowina 1:25:46 2.Craven, Vera 1:59:59 3.De Jager, Marianne 2:14:21Bassingthwaighte who cycled in the elite men category, completed the 50 kilometre stretch in a record time of 1:53:20, only 2 seconds ahead of his closest rival Heiko Hennes.Van Staden secured gold in the junior ladies category and this 16-year-old girl was also the first lady to pass the finish line in a record time of 2:16:42.The event was sponsored by Coca-Cola, First National Bank, Dairenkia Motors, Prowealth, Nexus Building Contractors, Engen Hochland, Medical Imaging & Bio-Dynamics.These fundamental sponsors were backed by the Omaruru Business Community as well as by the friendly people of Omaruru.Hundred and twenty-two riders lined up to crank the fifty as well as the twenty-five or 10-kilometre rides that were on offer.The route took riders through rocks and ruts, single and jeep tracks … demanding endurance and skill from participants to successfully complete the rides.The magnificent route that was set out by Dr.Dan Craven from Omaruru, amazed and impressed mountain bikers.They experienced the thrill and challenge of using skill and intelligence to anticipate, negotiate and triumph over whatever the trail had to throw at them.”The elation of slogging up the Omaruru Koppie, to be awarded by a view, which, for a time, belongs only to the mountain biker, de-stresses and provides peace of mind, is intoxicating and addictive” according to Africa U/23 MTB Champion, Bassingthwaighte.The next Tuhafeni Mountain Biking event is scheduled to take place at the Stampriet Jagfees on July 3 2004 at 09h00.Contact Koos at 081 293 2073 or Seun at 081 129 3115.Results of the Omaruru Rough Ride is the following; Elite men (50km) 1.Bassingthwaighte, Marc 1:53:20 2.Hennes, Heiko 2:53:22 3.Bruce, Hugh 2:16:40 Elite Ladies (50km) 1.Elliot, Dianne 2:36:06 2.Lottering, Emmarine 3:37:39 Junior Ladies (50km) 1.Van Staden, Heletje 2:16:47 2.Bassingthwaithte, Carmen 2:39:22 Junior men (50km) 1.Krenz, Falco 2:12:29 Veteran men (50km) 1.Gouws, Gustav 2:08:42 2.De Goede, Patrick 2:11:08 3.Fourie, Johan 2:14:32 Veteran Ladies (50km) 1.Bassingthwaighte, Sigi 2:32:26 2.Mitchell, Zoe 2:42:58 3.Kolberg, Claire 2:58:28 Master Men (50) 1.van Staden, Koos 2:07:35 2.Muir, Chris 2:19:40 3.Craven, Dan 2:19:55 Funride Men (25km) 1.Blaauw, Jaco 1:21:44 2.Gouws, Wynandt 1:34:58 3.Ellion, Terence 1:35:30 Funride Women (25km) 1.van Staden, Jowina 1:25:46 2.Craven, Vera 1:59:59 3.De Jager, Marianne 2:14:21