Words: Newsport Media | Photo: Cherie Vale
Top female mountain bikers Hanlie Booyens and Sharon Laws will ride for Food Lover’s Market at the 2013 FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Race the weekend of 08 – 10 November 2013.
Booyens placed 1st in the women’s team category of the FNB W2W MTB Race in 2012 when she teamed up with Yolande Speedy. “I have not missed a FNB W2W event yet,” says a very devoted Booyens. “If I can help it this will be the one event that I’ll come back to until the day that I can no longer ride my bike. FNB W2W has the best routes, the best food and the best organization. The pressure of defending a title has diminished with age. I ride for the love of it, as hard as my body and training permits. Good results are a bonus that I appreciate and enjoy, but never expect. Unfortunately Yolande Speedy has sponsorship commitments so we are unable to ride together again this year. On the other hand, I know Sharon very well and we are great friends, riding together will be a fantastic opportunity. The overall experience at the FNB W2W is second to none and because it is a ‘home’ race it feels like a big family reunion,” says Booyens.
“We felt that Hanlie and Sharon's down-to-earth and unfussy approach to fitness and cycling was a good fit for us and our team,” says Brian Coppin, Managing Director of the Fruit & Veg City Holdings. “With Hanlie being a previous winner of the FNB W2W MTB Race, we felt that they would offer the right kind of inspiration and motivation. As they are world-class competitors, we are very proud to be their sponsors”.
Other top teams to look out for will include: Matthys Beukes & Philip Buys, Renay Groustra & Nico Pfitzenmaier, Waylon Woolcock & Erik Kleinhans, Adriaan Louw & Jurgens Uys, Carla Van Huyssteen & Kim Westbrook, Candice Neethling & Eszter Erdelyi and Yolande Speedy & Paul Cordes.
FNB W2W MTB Adventure, Ride and Race:
Starting in the Winelands of Somerset West, teams of two riders (male/female/mixed) will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
· FNB WINES2WHALES MTB ADVENTURE: Friday, 01 November 2013 until Sunday, 03 November 2013
· FNB WINES2WHALES MTB RIDE: Monday, 04 November 2013 until Wednesday, 06 November 2013
· FNB WINES2WHALES MTB RACE: Friday, 08 November 2013 until Sunday, 10 November 2013
Stage one:
Distance: 70km
Start: Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West)
Finish: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
Stage two:
Distance: 70km
Start: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
Finish: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
Stage three:
Distance: 75km
Start: Oak Valley Sport Field (Elgin)
Finish: Onrus Caravan Park (just outside Hermanus)
The Official Food Supplier of the FNB W2W MTB events, Food Lover’s Market is known for placing great emphasis on value, quality and an exceptional retail experience. At the FNB W2W MTB events Food Lover’s Market will be meeting all the essential food requirements of the riders over the three day period both on route and in the race village.
Follow us on Twitter:
@w2wmtb
@FruitVegCity
Like our Facebook page:
Wines2Whales
Fruit & Veg City
For more information on Food Lover’s Market visit www.foodloversmarket.co.za. For more information on the FNB Wines2Whales MTB events contact 076 118 0874, e-mail or visit www.wines2whales.co.za
