In Oudtshoorn Ramses Bekkenk managed to win the 36ONE MTB Challenge for the second time. With a time of 14 hours and 5 minutes the record he rode last year in 13 hours 59 minutes and 55 seconds still stands. The KMC-Fruit to Go biker was in an early break away in the race over 361 kilometers with Kevin Benkenstein and Dusty Day. The later faced a mechanical problem and from than on it was Bekkenk en Benkenstein leading together. With 130 kilometers to go Benkenstein was not able to keep up with Bekkenk and a long solo to the victory started.
‘This year I really had to dig deep compared to last year. Due to sleep I had problems to concentrate and I even took a short break to sleep. Something I did not face last year. Same story for my stomic. Quite early in the race some difficulties to eat properly which is very important. But luckily like last year the ostrich meat kept me going and I could enjoy the rising sun.”, stated Bekkenk.
Kevin Benkenstein and Willem Pretorius crossed the finish line as second and third behind Bekkenk in Kleinplaas Holiday Resort in Oudtshoorn.
Photo: www.oakpics.com