{"id":19021,"date":"2018-06-03T12:43:01","date_gmt":"2018-06-03T10:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/?p=19021"},"modified":"2018-06-03T12:43:01","modified_gmt":"2018-06-03T10:43:01","slug":"botha-strydom-shine-at-fnb-magalies-monster-mtb-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/press-release\/botha-strydom-shine-at-fnb-magalies-monster-mtb-classic\/","title":{"rendered":"Botha, Strydom shine at FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

North West Province \u2013<\/em><\/strong> Wessel Botha and Danielle Strydom claimed the coveted title of FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic Champion at the ATKV Buffelspoort on Saturday, 02 June 2018 crossing the finish line in impressive times of 03 hours 06 minutes 03 seconds and 03 hours 44 minutes 42 seconds respectively.<\/p>\n

The men\u2019s race was hotly contested with Tyronne White and Philimon Sebona (2017 FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic Champion) firmly in the mix.<\/p>\n

\u201cI finished 2nd<\/sup> at the FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic in 2017 after experiencing a technical issue with my bike in the final kilometres,\u201d admits Botha.\u00a0 \u201cAfter 2017 the plan was to come back to the Monster to win, but I\u2019ve been ill and literally only started training again two weeks ago.\u00a0 So today I was only going to test my form.\u00a0 I felt good on the Monster Climb though managing to open a small gap.\u00a0 I pushed hard until I had a 1 minute lead.\u00a0 I then decided to ride my own race, keeping my tempo.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t ride too hard, always keeping something in the tank in case someone managed to catch me.\u00a0 Winning is a great confidence booster as I will be taking part in the upcoming SA Mountain Bike and Cross Country Champs.\u00a0 The FNB Magalies Monster is a fantastic race.\u00a0 The route is great and the last 20km is really tough.\u00a0 It\u2019s a real monster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Making his Magalies Monster debut on the day, White is really happy to be the runner up.\u00a0 \u201cMy father-in-law competed last year and couldn\u2019t stop talking about how hectic it is.\u00a0 This year we decided to make it a family weekend away.\u00a0 We\u2019re all staying at the ATKV.\u00a0 The event was fantastic, really rough and tough.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never seen so many rocks before.\u00a0 My plan was to hold my power, ride within myself and finish strong.\u00a0 It worked.\u00a0 I am very happy to finish in 2nd<\/sup> place.\u00a0 I would recommend the FNB Magalies Monster to everyone.\u00a0 You experience a real feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defending champion, Philimon Sebona was hoping for a successful title defence, but is happy to round off the podium.\u00a0 \u201cWessel Botha came back stronger and had a brilliant race.\u00a0 He once again broke away at the top of the Monster Climb, the same spot as last year.\u00a0 I was 30 seconds behind him, but then I crashed and bent my bike\u2019s derailleur<\/a>.\u00a0 As a result only nine of the gears were working.\u00a0 I did, however, have a good race and am happy with my position.\u00a0 The FNB Magalies Monster suits my riding style.\u00a0 This year we definitely had more competition, which made it interesting.\u00a0 I am looking forward to coming back in 2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Danielle Strydom obliterated the field in the women\u2019s race.\u00a0 \u201cThis is the first year that I am riding under-23 and am old enough to take part in the full FNB Magalies Monster (70km),\u201d says Strydom.\u00a0 \u201cI think I might have left my legs up on the Monster.\u00a0 My plan was just to see how it goes and then take it from there.\u00a0\u00a0 I really enjoyed the race.\u00a0 Crossing finish line first is an amazing experience.\u00a0 It definitely makes up for all the climbs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanet Coetzee crossed the finish line in 2nd<\/sup> place.\u00a0 \u201cWe take part every year and really enjoy the FNB Magalies Monster.\u00a0 It\u2019s the best MTB race on the calendar.\u00a0 My plan was to have fun and see where I finish.\u00a0 Crossing the finish line in 2nd<\/sup> place is a bonus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicolette Griffioen rounded off the women\u2019s podium.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keagan Bontekoning completed the +-35km FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic <\/strong>in 01:30:04.\u00a0 Brendan van Eeden came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Wicus Breytenbach finished 3rd<\/sup>.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jone van Eeden claimed gold in the women\u2019s +-35km FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic <\/strong>in a time of 01:58:20.\u00a0 Sunique van der Walt came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Rozalia Kubyana finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Shaan Immelman was the first rider home in the men\u2019s +-15km FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic <\/strong>in a time of 00:37:31.\u00a0 Ruben Gombos came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Christo Lombard finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Christina (Christelle) le Roux secured the top spot on the podium in the women\u2019s +-15km FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic <\/strong>in a time of 00:44:24.\u00a0 Nicole Botha came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Karla Mari Venter finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done to all participants and cycling enthusiasts who came out in numbers and put in sterling performances to continue making this event an outstanding success. This flagship event continues to gain prominence on the South African MTB calendar by not only providing an adrenaline-packed adventure to professional athletes, but also a fun memorable experience for clients, family and friends, along diverse routes with breath-taking scenery. Congratulations to the winners for a well-deserved victory. We look forward to seeing all of you again next year,\u201d says Eric Enslin, FNB Private Wealth CEO.
\n<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEXT UP<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 <\/strong>FNB Platinum Trail Run<\/p>\n

Trail runners are invited to share in the fun by taking on the FNB Platinum Trail Run the day after the FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date:<\/strong><\/td>\nSunday, 03 June 2018<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Venue (start & finish):<\/strong><\/td>\nATKV Buffelspoort<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Distances, cost & start time:<\/strong><\/td>\n+-24km \/R330 \/ 07:30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n+-12km \/R220 \/07:45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n+-8km \/ R140 \/08:00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Follow us on Twitter:<\/strong>\u00a0 @magmonstermtb<\/a> \/@StillwaterTrail<\/a><\/p>\n

Like our Facebook Page:<\/strong>\u00a0 Stillwater MTB Events<\/a> \/ Stillwater Trail Running<\/a><\/p>\n

For more information on the FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic or FNB Platinum Trail Run contact Stillwater Sports on 082\u00a0991 0045 or email entries@stillwatersports.com<\/a><\/p>\n

About the FNB <\/u><\/strong>Magalies Monster MTB Classic and the FNB Platinum Trail Run<\/u><\/strong>:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

FNB Business <\/strong>and FNB Private Wealth<\/strong> are proud to once again be the title sponsor of the annual FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic and the FNB Platinum Trail Run.<\/p>\n

This sponsorship forms part of FNB\u2019s ongoing strategy\u00a0to support local and community events that focus on a healthy lifestyle and family involvement. This sponsorship affirms our dedication to providing a quality experience that exceeds expectation, for all participants and spectators along with their families, in order to continue building enduring, rewarding relationships. The FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic and the FNB Platinum Trail Run are two events that are designed to provide an enjoyable outdoors family experience. The platform allows us the opportunity to engage with our clients and the broader community with the aim of creating lasting connections.<\/p>\n

ENDS<\/p>\n

Issued by:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NEWSPORT MEDIA<\/a><\/p>\n

On behalf of:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 STILLWATER SPORTS\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

North West Province \u2013 Wessel Botha and Danielle Strydom claimed the coveted title of FNB Magalies Monster MTB Classic Champion at the ATKV Buffelspoort on Saturday, 02 June 2018 crossing the finish line in impressive times of 03 hours 06 minutes 03 seconds and 03 hours 44 minutes 42 seconds respectively. The men\u2019s race was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":58746,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3260,1206],"tags":[2193,3525,3546,3526,1757,1747,2601],"class_list":["post-19021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","category-press-release","tag-fnb","tag-fnb-magalies-monster","tag-fnb-magalies-monster-mtb-classic","tag-magalies-monster","tag-mountain-biking","tag-mtb","tag-mtb-classic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19021"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19021\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}