Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival Media Release

 No: kc2307

28 May 2023

Embargo : None

Written by : Tim Whitfield

Hill recovers to claim exciting victory

Karkloof - Michael Foster and Sarah Hill wrapped up their respective wins in the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday, but the two races could not have been more different.

Foster, riding for the Team PYGA Euro Steel, cruised home in the premier 60km event with a massive 14-minute win over Daniel van der Watt and Keagan Tullis filling the minor placings.

In stark contrast, HH Women's Racing's Hill only just edged out Hayley Smith (Bell Equipment) in a drama-filled women's race that was only decided a couple of hundred metres from the finish when Smith and Hill both ended up on the ground together.

The two did not have time to dust themselves off and, as Hill said in the excited chatter between the two after they had crossed the line, the sprint for victory became "a race to get back on our bikes and get to the finish line."

Hill had to work exceptionally hard to claim the victory and was forced to fight back after she was dropped off the leading group of women early on.

"I forgot that Karkloof has some mega climbs," said Hill shortly after crossing the line. "When we started I was feeling really good, then when we hit the first climb and I was like "Oh no!"

"I forgot how long the climbs were and the girls shot off the front so I had to play catch-up all day. The three of them, Hayley, Rouxda (Grobler) and Joanna (van de Winkel) got away. Then going through the first single track, Hayley opened up a huge gap.

"It was tough as I had to pass one rider and then another and then chase Hayley. I could see Hayley up the Lebanon climb (the highest point of the race at about halfway) and at the top I was 30 seconds behind. I don't think I have ever worked so hard to catch someone, because Hayley has skills and it was not easy.

"Once I caught her, after about 45 kilometres, we worked quite well together."

Smith then took up the story of what was a dramatic end to a tough battle between the two.

"It was literally a few hundred metres from the finish and I just came in too hot into a corner and my front wheel just washed out and I was on the floor."

"And I then just rode into her," chipped in Hill.

"It was going to be the most epic sprint and I was getting so nervous wondering what I was going to do at the finish," said Smith. "And the next minute I was on the floor.

"The sprint ended up being like who could get up quickest and go for the line."

The race did have something of a happy ending for Smith, who received an unusual proposal out on the route that could lead to an exciting partnership in future.

While riding in one of the easier sections of the route, Hill decided her opponent would make a great partner at one of the country's top stage races.

"We were riding and I and turned to Hayley and said: "You want to race the Cape Pioneer Trek together?"

"And she turned back and said "Yah, I would love to!" ... so, I have found a partner!"

In the men's race, Foster powered away up the first climb and was never challenged again as he time-trialled alone to the finish.

"I had a super-good day. I was with Daniel and Keegan for the first bit and we were going not too fast, but up the first hill I had planned to go hard, and the guys could not go with me.

"So I got away on the first climb at about 10 or 12 kilometres and rode by myself for the rest of the race.

"It was not easy ... it was definitely quite hard, but nothing went wrong. A few sketchy sections where I almost came off but was just able to save it," added the 21-year-old who has targeted the World Champs as his big goal later this year – and on the kind of form he showed on Sunday, he looks like a good selection for the SA team.

RESULTS
60km
Men
1 Michael Foster 2:49:58
2 Daniel van der Watt 3:04:14
3 Keegan Tullis 3:07:13
4 Tyronne White 3:12:13
5 Syanda Gumede 3:14:48
Women
1 Sarah Hill 3:34:28
2 Hayley Smith 3:35:22
3 Rouxda Grobler 3:49:19
4 Joanna van de Winkel 3:50:55
5 Sanchia Malan 4:18:24

40km
Men
1 Omar Wilson 1:36:36
2 Joshua Johnson 1:38:34
3 Joshua Paul 1:40:09
Women
1 Errin Mackridge 1:58:01
2 Jodi Mackinnon 2:05:41
3 Robyn Chapman 2:05:51

20km

Men
1 Ryan Storm 1:02:13
2 Sean Johnson 1:02:14
3 Bjorn Wheeler 1:03:59
Women
1 Libby Chapman 1:11:06
2 Sue Chapman 1:11:58
3 Madison Bateson 1:12:57

ENDS

Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival Logo

Michael Foster enjoyed a solo ride after breaking away on the first climb of the day at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday.

Sarah Hill (pictured) had to work hard to chase down Hayley Smith at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday.

hayley Smith (pictured) used her technical skills to build a lead through the single track at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday, but lost her chance for victory after a dramatic crash within sight of the finish.

Rouxda Grobler leads the front group of women up a streep climb early on at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday. Here she is followed by Hayley Smith (yellow top) and Joanna van de Winkel (white top, partially obscured) with eventual winner Sarah Hill (pink top on the right) struggling to hold the group with some male riders.

Second-placed Daniel van der Watt chasing vainly at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday.

Riders enjoying the spectacular scenery as they ride past Karkloof Faals at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday.

Sarah Hill wins the 60km race at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday.

Friendly rivalry: Sarah Hill (pink top) hugs Hayley Smith after the 60km event at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday. During the event Hill asked her rival to form a partnership for one of the country's big stage races.

Michael Foster crosses the line to win the 60km race at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday.

Five year old Ruan Vermaak crosses the line to finish the 10km MTB fun ride at the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Sunday.