In November, SA
mountain biking stars Yoland? de Villiers and Johan Labuschagne will go after
their third consecutive win in the mixed pairs category at the Contego
Wines2Whales MTB Race powered by Maserati. It’s clear that this duo has
successfully ticked all the boxes needed to succeed at a three-day mountain
stage race, including teaming up with the ideal partner.
“When choosing
a partner, make sure that you are more or less equally strong on the bike,”
says Yoland?. “Johan and I understand each other completely. We know each
other’s weaknesses – not that Johan has any – and help each other in order to
achieve the best as a team. Johan is calm and collective and in control, I’m
usually the opposite, and this is what I need to keep focused during the race.”
Johan believes
that their team’s strength is experience. “My top tip when taking on a three-day
MTB stage race would be to choose your partner carefully. Make sure that you
have the same objective, and most importantly, be more concerned about your
partner’s wellbeing than your own, especially if you’re taking part in the
mixed team category. Also, remember to make friends with the riders around you,
as you will see them the next day and the next.”
THE CELEBS SAY…
Check out the
rave reviews from celebrity riders who have done the Contego Wine2Whales MTB
Adventure and Race powered by Maserati as part of the songo.info ‘Ride with a
Celebrity’ initiative.
Burry Stander: “I really enjoy the chilled pace at which we get to ride as well as the
atmosphere. The routes are of a very high standard and a lot of fun. The sport
has done so much for me and it’s great to see disadvantaged communities getting
the opportunity to ride.”
Dan Hugo: “I enjoy the three days of stepping into a joyous mountain biking/camping/socialising
adventure. The routes are magnificent. If the weather is good, you get crazy
views of False Bay on day one, and great views from Onrus on day three, while
day two has some brilliant trail riding in the Elgin valley.”
Oliver Munnik: “The route combined with the vibe amongst riders is what makes the
Wines2Whales so enjoyable. Everyone is there with the common goal of having fun
while pinning some rad single track. Of course, knocking a few beers down the
hatchet after each stage is pretty schweet.”
Christoph Sauser (World Marathon Champion and
Co-founder of songo.info): “It is an honour for
songo.info to be an official charity of the event. It presents us with the
perfect platform to raise funds for the charity while having fun with our
charity riders and the public. Wines2Whales is the perfect combination of
friendship, nature and riding. The organisers know how to package the best
trails in the Cape into three days of riding.”
EVENT INFO
Friday 2 – Sunday 4
November: Contego Wines2whales MTB Adventure
Friday 9 – Sunday 11
November: Contego Wines2whales MTB Race
Route: Start @
Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West, Finish @ Onrus Caravan Park, just
outside Hermanus
More info: 076 118 0874 / entries@wines2whales.co.za / www.wines2whales.co.za
Follow us: Facebook: Contego Wines2Whales or Twitter: @w2wmtb
WIN a Food Lover’s Market voucher worth R150
As SA’s leading fresh produce retailer, with around 120 Fruit and Veg City and Food Lover’s
Market stores, Fruit & Veg City is proud to
be the official food supplier of the Contego Wines2Whales MTB Adventure and
Race powered by Maserati. Fruit & Veg City, in association with Contego
Wines2Whales, is giving 10 lucky Modern
Athlete readers a chance to win a Food Lover’s Market voucher worth R150
each.
To enter, simply SMS your name followed by the name
Fruit & Veg City to 33110.
Each SMS is charged at R1.50. Competition open from 29
October to 30 November 2012. Names will be drawn randomly and the Publisher’s
decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into.
WIN a Fair Cape Dairies Hamper worth R500
Fair Cape Dairies, the dairy that brings you
environmentally and cow-friendly Fair Cape Eco Fresh™, is a proud sponsor of
the 2012 Contego Wines2Whales MTB Adventure and Race powered by Maserati. To
celebrate this partnership, Fair Cape is giving away three delicious product
hampers to the value of R500.00 each.
To enter, simply
SMS your name followed by Fair Cape to 33110
Each SMS is charged at R1.50. Competition open from 29
October to 30 November 2012. Names will be drawn randomly and the Publisher’s
decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into.