Renier Bellingan (USN) arrived at the finish at Lapeng Hotel after 70 kms as the winner, just ahead of Waylon Woolcock. Andrew Mclean of Toyota Cycle Lab finished third ahead of series leader, Adrien Niyonshuti (MTN)

The race started in freezing temperatures and an early group formed consisting of seven riders, Adrien Niyonshuti, Paul Cordes and Justice Makhale (MTN), Andrew Mclean (Toyota Cycle Lab), Renier Belingan (USN), Waylon Woolcock (Medscheme) and Hendrik Kruger.


Niyonshuti chooses the wrong route out in the field

Hendrik Kruger went away from this group and led for a long time. This meant that the MTN riders had to chase to protect the lead of Niyonshuti in the Nissan Series. Paul Cordes was pushing hard, but had a few difficulties, and Niyonshuti also had some technical difficulties, reports are that he broke a spoke, and then had to swap wheels with his team mate Cordes. The race being fast and furious meant many road tactics came into play!

Niyonshuti eventually got back to the main group, but MTN still had to make the pace to bring back young Kruger. They eventually reeled him in, but then Woolcock went on the attack on a tar section with just 5 km remaining taking Renier Bellingan with him.

It was a two way battle, but near the end in a grass tufty section Bellingan out-powered Woolcock to gap him by a few meters and take the win! The remaining podium spot was taken by forever young Mclean as he out sprinted Niyonshuti.

Waylon Woolcock on his best mountain bike event to date, " I enjoyed the race despite not being at very good form just yet, this is my best performance of the few mountain bike races that I have competed in. I hope to be able to make it onto the top step of the podium one day, as these type of races really interest me. This Nissan MTB series has been very well organized and well marked, making them a pleasure to race, and still challenging enough in the rough!"


Woolcock in front of Makhale, enjoying the trails!

"I hope to race the Medscheme Walkerville mtb Classic in a few weeks time in this area, and look forward to these trails again!" said Woolcock who is one of the Team Medscheme road riders gently venturing into the world of mountain bike racing.

Team Medscheme have also shown in the first Nissan series race that they have a few talented riders as Neil Macdonald finished second to the winner, Niyonshuti, while Woolcock finished sixth. Macdonald was not able to be at the Fast and Furious race, but together with Woolcock they could make a good pair!

Results 70km:
1st Renier Bellingan (USN)
2nd Waylon Woolcock (Team Medscheme)
3rd Andrew Mclean (Toyota Cycle Lab)
4th Adrien Niyonshuti (MTN)
5th Justice Makhale (MTN)



Woolcock and Bellingan in the final kilometers - images © www.procycling.co.za

More images to be seen at www.procycling.co.za and more info on Nissan series at www.mtbseries.co.za