Computer Mania Seattle Coffee Co Consolidate Lead On Stage 2 of FNB Wines2Whales Chardonnay

by | Oct 21, 2023 | Wines2Whales 2023, Bike, Bike Events & Racing, Bike Racing News, Event News, Events, Featured

Stage 2 of the 2023 FNB Wines2Whales Chardonnay women’s race saw Candice Lill and Tyler Jacobs put a further 2 minutes and 6 seconds into their new nearest rivals, Tiffany Keep and Danielle Strydom; while the Safari Essence Imbuko pairing enjoyed a good day themselves, leapfrogging into second.

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Tyler Jacobs and Candice Lill win stage 2 at the FNB Wines 2 Whales (c) Dom Barnardt / Wines2Whales

FNB Wines2Whales Chardonnay Stage 2: Mud, glorious mud:

Incessant overnight rain necessitated further route adjustments, resulting in a 10-kilometre reduction of Stage 2. This decision was made due to concerns about emergency service access to the Tierkop trails. As a result, Stage 2 was revised to a 58-kilometre route with a 1 200-metre climb, omitting Tierkop and certain potentially hazardous singletracks.

Samantha Sanders noted that the beginning of the race was quite challenging, with the field riding closely together. However, Tiffany Keep and Danielle Strydom’s decision to set a faster pace helped break up the group. The Safari Essence Imbuko team’s aggressive approach set a tempo that only Sanders, her teammate Cherise Willeit, and the riders in the orange CIOVITA jerseys could keep up with.

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Riders during stage 2 at the FNB Wines 2 Whales Chardonnay (c) Sam Clark / Wines2Whales

Tyler Jacobs admitted that she initially struggled to keep up with the pace set by Tiffany Keep and Danielle Strydom. However, once the race entered the singletracks, she found her rhythm, following Candice Lill’s lead and focusing on riding the trails smoothly.

This strategy paid off for the leaders, who extended their 1-minute lead at the second water point to over 2 minutes by the final water point a situation that stayed the same until the finish line. Behind them was some drama as Strydom experienced a crash, but fortunately without injury, and Sanders had difficulties due to inappropriate tires on her bike.

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Riders after stage 2 at the FNB Wines 2 Whales Chardonnay (c) Dom Barnardt / Wines2Whales

Computer Mania Seattle Coffee Co now leads Safari Essence Imbuko by 7 minutes and 15 seconds. Sandton City Efficient Infiniti is in third place, trailing by 10 minutes and 13 seconds. Vera Looser and Mariske Strauss moved up to fourth place on the general classification standings, while Hayley Preen and Frances Janse van Rensburg may engage in a tight competition for fifth place overall on Stage 3.

Results:

STAGE 2

  • 1. Computer Mania Seattle Coffee Co: Candice Lill & Tyler Jacobs (2:53:33)
  • 2. Safari Essence Imbuko: Tiffany Keep & Danielle Strydom (2:55:39 | +2:06)
  • 3. Sandton City Efficient Infiniti: Cherise Willeit & Samantha Sanders (2:58:56 | +5:23)
  • 4. Elysator-Rola: Vera Looser & Mariske Strauss (3:05:00 | +11:27)
  • 5. Hilly & Edgy: Sarah Hill & Claudia Krenn (3:05:41 | +12:08)

OVERALL STANDINGS

  • 1. Computer Mania Seattle Coffee Co: Candice Lill & Tyler Jacobs (5:39:49)
  • 2. Safari Essence Imbuko: Tiffany Keep & Danielle Strydom (5:47:04 | +7:15)
  • 3. Sandton City Efficient Infiniti: Cherise Willeit & Samantha Sanders (5:50:02 | +10:13)
  • 4. Elysator-Rola: Vera Looser & Mariske Strauss (6:03:24 | +23:35)
  • 5. Freewheel Cycology: Hayley Preen & Frances Janse van Rensburg (6:09:10 | +29:22)

The final stage on Sunday promises to be intriguing. For those concerned about post-rugby match celebrations, the race includes a challenging 64-kilometre stage, featuring the Gantouw Pass portage, and will conclude at Lourensford Wines for celebrations and finish line photos.

MORE FNB Wines2Whales news:

    Learn more about the route they will be tackling, here, which teams to watch, here and check out the Epic Series YouTube channel for regular updates and highlights.

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