Outjo route proves tough for riders

The KIA mountain bike series which took place near Outjo in the Kunene-Region last weekend, proved to be a tough route as some riders went off course taking the wrong routes.
A total of 90 riders made their way to the north to battle it out over two race distances in eleven categories. Heinrich Köhne won the Open men class of the fourth race of the series clocking in at 2:04:57 hours after 60 kilometres, more than a minute later than the next three riders, he was awarded the overall win as he followed the prescribed route which was nearly a kilometre longer, unlike the likes of Martin Freyer, Herbert Peters and Michael Pretorius, who used a shorter route. Hence the race directors gave the win to Köhne. Freyer, who won the third race of the prestigious series a month ago, and Peters came in at 2:03:14, while Pretorius need some 30 seconds more 2:03:42. There was similar situation in the Veteran men’s division, where Fana Lambert crossed the finish line well behind the leaders (2:28:42). But like Köhne, he followed the correct route to eventually be awarded the second place.
This division was won Fanie Steenkamp, who was well ahead of all other riders, even though he too followed the incorrect path. His lead was, however, so great that the race directors had no choice but to declare him the winner.
Meanwhile Michelle Vorster won the two-horse race in the open woman division. Vorster completed the 60 km long route with a time of 2:23:20 hours.