In fact, within the first half kilometre of the race, this world-class female duathlete had already built up a nice lead and settled into what seemed to be a comfortable lead. In front of her were only the elite men, including the likes of Wilhelm Steyn, Theo Blignaut and Matt Daneel. Uniquely, the Lourensford event sees athletes meandering through the vineyards and over some fairly technical off-road running terrain before finding their way back to the transition area.

 

Following a smooth transition onto their mountain bikes, it took less than a kilometre before the riders hit their first climb into the mountains surrounding the unbelievably beautiful wine estate. The pace was being set by someone that last featured on the series’ podium more than two years ago – Theo Blignaut! At the pace he was setting, one wonders whether this year’s series leader coming into the Lourensford leg, Brand du Plessis, would have been able to respond. Wilhelm Steyn was keeping close watch, but a puncture not too far into this leg put paid to any chances he may have had of taking the win.

 

On routes borrowed from the world-famous Cape Epic mountain bike stage race, the non-elite participants found themselves caught between wanting to take in their amazing surroundings, but having to pay very close attention to keeping their bikes right-side up. And this is where the seemingly untouchable Andrea Steyn, just like her husband not too far in front of her, suffered a puncture that not only cost her the win, but saw her dropping out of the podium positions after unsuccessfully attempting to reinflate the tyre. Having briefly stopped to lend assistance to the stricken Steyn in a show of true sportsmanship, Robyn Williams and Riana Robertson (formerly de Lange) then took up the lead, with Robertson eventually hanging on for the win. Alisha Meyers, originally from the USA, finished in third. Watch out for more achievements from this talented lady in the near future!

 

On the final running leg, Wilhelm Steyn managed to claw back some of the time he had lost while repairing his punctured tyre, finishing in second place behind Blignaut, with Daneel in third. What a sprint finish it was between Inus Coetzee and winner Michael Pienaar for top honours in the Team category, with less than a second splitting these athletes after 30km of mountain biking and 7.5km of running!

 

So on a day where one could not have asked for nicer weather or a more spectacular venue, the Momentum Health Meg-3 National Duathlon Series powered by PeptoPro saw a very different group of faces on the podium from the first race, opening up the season to a closely contested affair.

 

The Kids race result served to confirm what a true family affair these duathlons are, with 13yo Hector Burger following in dad Douglas’ footsteps – Douglas turning out to be the winner in the 40-49yo category on the day.

 

The Series now heads for Blue Hills Estate in Midrand, Gauteng, on June 30^th . While there is no doubt that Andrea Steyn will be hungry to make amends for her misfortune at Lourensford, it may not be an easy task to fight off resurgent efforts from the likes of Robertson and Williams. And what a tantalising spectacle lies in store with the likes of Theo Blignaut, Brand du Plessis, Wilhelm Steyn, Matt Daneel and Ruan Botes looking to take control of the Series in the men’s race. In-depth footage of the Lourensford event will be broadcast on Supersport over the coming weeks.