The Savanna Origin of Trails’ 10th-year celebration kicked off on Saturday, November 18, 2023, with Stage One of SA’s MTB Party of the Year treating riders to a vast network of world-class and exclusive trails in and around the picturesque town of Stellenbosch.
Despite his initial intention to approach this year’s Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience Marathon with the aim of enjoyment rather than racing, defending champion Luyanda Thobigunya (Idas Valley, Stellenbosch) found himself standing atop the podium once again. Reflecting on the event, he commented, “The route was good. We had some competition from the road bike guys. They chased us on the flat sections, but we recovered on the single tracks and on the downhills. I was excited to cross the finish line first. I would recommend the Savanna Origin of Trails to my friends because it’s our home ground.”
Stage One of the Marathon featured a +-50km route with a total ascent of 1250m. The terrain offered a mix of hard-packed open climbs, well-groomed flowing trails, and a variety of technical sections to challenge riders. Notable highlights included breathtaking views at Lanzerac, traversing the Eerste River trails, and navigating the infamous G-Spot. Riders also encountered new and exciting sections, such as a brief single track at Lanzerac and the creatively crafted bridges by local route builder Kim Lord at Dornier.
Jonathan Elcock (Newlands) was the first rider home in the Half Marathon. “I took part in my first Savanna Origin of Trails last year. I really enjoyed it and had to come back. This is my first event after being in a car accident at the beginning of the year. It feels good to be back on the trails and I’m really enjoying this event again. The route was good, well-marked, well-marshalled and all-round good fun. I’m looking forward to the MTB Party tonight. I probably won’t have a huge night but will join in the festivities.”
There was a tussle up front in the Women’s Category of the Half Marathon, but defending champion Jackie Lochner (Stellenbosch) was not giving up without a fight and safely secured the Stage One victory. “The stage was fun, and technical. Some sections were flooded and muddy, so if you picked the wrong line, you were out. There were three of us that raced together the whole way. It was hectic because you’re always pushing and can’t relax. I always come out to have fun, but it’s nice to push yourself. This is the mountain bike party of the year, why wouldn’t you come back? My plan for tomorrow is to start off slower and go hell for leather at the end.”
Anne Pienaar (Karoo) took on the challenge of the Half Marathon in the Ebike Category. At 69 years young, she humorously declared, “I only ride an Ebike. I don’t ride normal bikes anymore because I’m old. I don’t like practicing so much, and the Ebike allows me to still ride events. It was amazing riding Stage One on my Liv Ebike. I wouldn’t say it was a breeze as there were some tough hills, but the bike makes life much easier. This is the first time that I’ve ever ridden here in the mountains. It’s amazing.”
Stage One of the Half Marathon showcased a diverse +-31km route with a total ascent of 680m. Tailored for weekend warriors who prefer less technical riding, the event caters to a range of fitness levels. While not demanding an exceptionally high level of fitness, participants were encouraged by the organizing team to put in the training to get the most out of the event. The stage primarily comprised farm roads, with minimal flat sections. Stage highlights included the iconic floating bridge at Mont Marie and the scenic trails at Dornier.
Riders enjoyed round two of mountain biking magic on Sunday, November 19, 2023, as the final stage of SA’s MTB Party of the year, the Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience got underway at the Coetzenburg Stellenbosch University.
“The 2023 Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience was action-packed from start to finish,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “It was a true celebration of the sport, where riders from all walks of life came together to enjoy Stellenbosch’s iconic routes, the stunning scenery, and fantastic camaraderie. The event embraced the ethos of having fun on two wheels, and we couldn’t be happier with the positive response from riders. A big thank you goes out to our sponsors and entrants for contributing towards the amazing vibe at South Africa’s MTB Party of the Year. The 2023 event marked the ideal conclusion to a busy year of mountain biking.”
“The Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience undeniably stands out as a highlight on the South African mountain biking calendar,” said Anelle Gordon, HEINEKEN Beverages Events Specialist. “Over the past two days, riders embraced the spirit of savoring the moment, relishing the routes, and soaking in the spectacular scenery. This aligns perfectly with the ethos of Savanna. We take great pride in our role as the title sponsor of an event that wholeheartedly celebrates the authentic essence of mountain biking, reminding participants why they fell in love with this exhilarating sport.”
Stage Two of the Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience saw Luyanda Thobigunya (Stage One winner) and Kusaselihle Ngidi cross the finish line together in the Marathon Distance in a lightning-fast time of 02 hours 04 minutes 38 seconds. “This is my third Savanna Origin of Trails race. I finished second at the first two events,” said Ngidi. “Today’s trails were nice, and I had a lot of fun. The event features top trails. I will certainly tell my friends to take part in this event and I will come back next year. I decided last night to try my luck in the dress-up competition. I hope I win.”
After two days of racing, Luyanda Thobigunya secured the top spot on the podium. Kusaselihle Ngidi once again had to settle for second place, with Stefan De Bod placing third.
South African road cyclist Stefan De Bod was pleasantly surprised by the Savanna Origin of Trails. “I’m from Stellenbosch but am living in Spain for the team racing in Europe,” confirmed De Bod. “This is the first time that I’ve taken part in the event. I took my bike to Flandria Bike Shop and saw the poster up. While I was waiting for my bike, I entered the event. Now I think that I’ll enter every year. It’s just a great opportunity to ride the trails that I use to train and race on. Sometime people take sport too seriously, so it’s nice to have an event that encourages people to have fun. Yes, there’s a racing aspect to it, which is great, but we need more events that people can just enjoy.”
Lehane Oosthuizen claimed her second consecutive stage victory in the Marathon. “I take part in the Savanna Origin of Trails every year because the routes are really nice,” said Oosthuizen. “We ride the routes a lot, but we never race them. Last year I stopped at all
