The 2023 UCI Gravel World Series traveled to South Africa on 29 April for the second race, the Swartberg 100, on one of the most demanding and difficult gravel courses in the series – 170 kilometers with 2900 meters of vertical ascent.

Almost 500 racers registered to compete and try to qualify for the UCI Gravel World Championship in October. To qualify, riders had to finish in the top 25% of their age/gender category.

After almost five and a half hours the 170km gravel gran fondo came down to a two-up pro sprint, between 27 year-old pro Gustav Basson (Team DMS Pro Cycling) and 24 year-old pro Daniel Loubser, with Basson getting win. It is not the first time the two have fought for placings, Basson finished 8th and Loubser 10th at the 2022 South African National Road Championships. Another pro, 27 year-old Kenty Main, finished third, one minute back.

26 year-old Catherine Colyn, also a Life Time Grand Prix Series athlete, won the women’s competition in just under six hours. Theresa Rindler Bachl came in eighteen minutes later in second place, followed quickly by Anneke Lund.

On a 75km medio fondo route with 1700m of ascent, the top three riders all came from the 60-64 year-old male category – Jimmy Mills (3:10:25), Shawn Kirschner (3:15:42) and John Bos (3:16:23). Just behind the old men Michelle George (3:18:02) came in as the first woman, followed closely by Pauline Tunstead (3:20:22) and former TransCape MTB champion Alma Colyn (3:25:00).

Complete UCI Swartberg 100 results HERE.

Photo Credit: Swartberg100

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