The Panorama Tour - The Toughest Race On Tar
STAGE ONE: PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
The 12th PPS Panorama Tour, The Toughest Race on Tar, kicked off today with the 107km Stage One.
Open Mens Team, Barend Burger & Stephan Reyneke (Team Protouch-Demacon) played it cool, keeping their legs fresh by staying with the bunch until the final sprint. They pipped Brandon Downes & Kai Pritzen (Team Karan Beef) over the line to win in 03:04:51.
Multiple PPS Panorama Tour winner and race veteran, Barend Burger comments on their strategy today: “We didn’t have any specific plan going into todays race beyond conserving energy. Even when the bunch disintegrated on the climb, we kept good pace and decided to make our move on Brondal. I made the break with Stephan taking the win in a sprint to the finish. It was close but we’re happy overall with our legs and race today.”
The riders set off in a mass start from Casterbridge, White River into cool, overcast conditions. The lead bunch rode without any major attacks on outward leg to the Sudwala Caves. On the return leg, the Sudwala Pass separated the boys from the men. Three teams pulled ahead as the bunch broke up. On the final climb at Heidel Eggs, it was down to two teams, Barend Burger & Stephan Reyneke (Team Protouch-Demacon) and Brandon Downes & Kai Pritzen (Team Karan Beef).
Burger & Pritzen hit the finish line first, leaving Reyneke and Downes in a neck and neck sprint to complete the team finish. All that separated first and second place was one second. Team Protouch-Demacon claimed the win in 03:04:51, Team Karan Beef was second in 03:04:52 with David Humphris & Warren McKay (Team Ninja Goats) third in 03:05:31.
Last year's stage winners won Stage One on single speeds. Carl Lotter (Team Handsome & Clever) and Julius Cobbett took third in Sub-Vet despite a recent injury to Carl's wrist forcing him to participate on a mountain bike.
Stage Two is a high-speed, 80km loop which lulls the riders over the first 50km before testing the mettle with a number of sharp climbs past the KMIA airport.
Stage 1 Results
Tandem
- Douw & Gerrit du Preez (Team Downhill all the way) 03:22:47.
- Neil & Bronwyn Timm (Team Timm Tandem) 03:26:45
- Bruce & Keanu Sebregts (Team SMAC Westpack) 03:49:05.
Grand Masters
- Paul Furbank & Johan Spies (Team Too Knuts) 03:19:53
- Brett Sachs & Terry Rubenstein (Team Grumpy Old Men) 03:37:52
- Peter Gowans & Charles Morris (Team GoMor) 04:17:02.
Masters
- Jose Antunes & Simon Cleminson (Team Lion & Ant) 03:10:56
- Anthony Bennet & Gynn Pine (Team Bluff Meats) 03:20:48
- Colin Brain & Martijn Mellaart (Team Forever Young) 03:33:56
Vets
- Hein Kruger & Miguel dos Santos (Team KZN Teng) 03:10:07
- Samuel de Swardt & Andrew Westaway (Team Deloitte) 03:10:09
- David Price & Fernando Silva (Team Mocha Boys) 03:28:42
Sub Vet
- Steve Cooke & Trevor Davies (Team Inspire) 03:10:40
- Heino van Zyl & Pieter Avenant (Team Shock & Plant) 03:10:40
- Carl Lotter & Julius Cobbett (Team Handsome & Clever) 03:10:42
Mixed
- Susan and David Garrett (Team Giant) 03:10:58
- Kimberly le Court & Ian Pinaar (Team Demacon) 03:20:140
- Nadia & Rikus Visser (Team Western Racing) 03:21:26.
Open Women’s
- Vanessa Bell & Dalene van der Leek (Team Bells Cycling LGE Midas) 03:35:09
- Tracey Watcham & Monica Glover (Team 1212) 03:41:19
- Elmari de Wet & Michelle Benson (Team PPS) 03:50:45
Open Men’s
- Barend Burger & Stephan Reyneke (Team Protouch-Demacon) 03:04:51
- Brandon Downes & Kai Pritzen (Team Karan Beef) 03:04:52
- David Humphris & Warren McKay (Team Ninja Goats) 03:05:31.
Final Update
Just some last minute bits of information for you. Then it's race time!
Registration
Registration is at the Barnyard at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre. Follow the signs. We open at 11am until 17.45. Race Briefing is from 18:00 to 19:00. Late registration is thereafter.
All other Prize Giving Ceremonies are at 17:00 and Final Prize Giving on Monday 1st, is about 11:30 - all at the same venue.
Family Fun
Are your friends or family joining you for the weekend? While you are out enjoying the ride, they can check out all the great things to do, new places to eat and activities to plan through We Are White River .
Magnolia Cafe has also arranged a family fun MTB ride. Beginners 10km / Intermediate 25km for R50 per rider (Conservation fee).
Book at
Rain Or Shine?
It looks like ideal riding weather for the 12th edition of the PPS Panorama Tour. The forecast is for cool, calm and mostly overcast weather. There is a slight chance of rain on Stage 3. However, always prepare for every eventuality.
Time Keeping / Results
Finish Time will provide you with an ankle chip for the race. Please check that your cell number is accurate so that you can receive instant results via SMS. You will also be able to Tweet or send Facebook posts instantly from the PPS Panorama Tour website.
Spread the love via social media.
Start Times and Batches
There are two batches this year - A & B. It is a mass start. However, you must check in at your Batch by 6:45 at the latest. Batches will be posted at Registration.
The start is at 7am every day except for the Time Trial. The TT starts at 8:00 in ascending order - unofficial, slowest to fastest. You will receive your start time via SMS after Stage Three.
Rider Dinner
Don't forget to confirm your attendance at the complimentary rider dinner at Registration. This takes place on Sunday night before the Time Trial. It's a great opportunity to relax with your fellow riders since the hard, long days are done. Additional tickets for family members can be purchased at R200 pp.
Lucky Draw from Hans Van Der Merwe & Sons
For the last eleven years, Hans van der Merwe and Sons has donated a spectacular bed for a lucky draw prize. This year, it's a R15 000 voucher to spend at their exclusive shop on any stunning hand made furniture that catches your eye.
The draw is at Prize Giving on Sunday 30th April and you must be present to win. Prize or no prize, it's worth popping into the store at Casterbridge to see the wonderful furniture on display.
Lite Prize Money
There are three categories for the PPS Panorama Lite race. However, in the event of these categories not being filled to a minimum of three teams, the prize money is adjusted accordingly. Stage wins remain the same for all three categories. Overall Winners of the Men's and Women's categories will be First Place Only. Mixed will be First, Second and Third Place.
All Lite teams will start in B Batch.
Safe Travels to White River
From speed traps to detours, we'll keep you up to date on the latest traffic information via our social media channels. So keep an eye open on &
Travel Safely!
Ride It, Follow It, Share It
Unable to ride this year? Or do you have a friend or loved one taking on the Toughest Race on Tar? You can follow the action, pedal stroke by pedal stroke via Liking and Following our Social Media channels. We'll be covering all the excitement via PPS Panorama Tour, , and .
PPS Panorama Tour - A Word from our Sponsors!
More Articles...
- Entries Extended until 7th April 2017
- Less than One Week Left to Enter!
- THE PPS PANORAMA LITE IS NOW A RACE - WITH PRIZES TO MATCH
- PPS SPONSORS UNIQUE PANORAMA CYCLE TOUR
- Catch all the Action on SuperSport
- Time Trial Highlights
- Time Trial: Tandem Takedown
- Stage 3 Highlights
- Stage 3: Three's a Crowd
- Stage 2 Highlights