Two top-of-the-podium finishes was the end result for Team Fairtree Imperial Cannondale at the 2024 FNB Wines2Whales event on Sunday (10 November).
Ziandro Jordaan and Damon Terblanche finished first in the Exarro category, while Luyanda Tobigunya and Jan Montshia claimed the top spot in the amateur men’s race.
“The results of this team keep getting better and better, and we are really excited to see them perform in upcoming races,” said team manager Chris Norton. “Luyanda, Damon and Ziandro will be receiving Western Province colours this year, and we have great up and coming talent coming through the ranks.”
The popular mountain-biking event’s Shiraz ride, held from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 November, saw teams of two riders take on about 200 km and climb 4 500 m from Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West to Benguela Cove in Hermanus over three day stages. The teams had to overcome numerous berms and bridges, a historic portage up Gantouw Pass, an abundance of single-tracks, and three Toyota Cruise sections, making for a very exhilarating race.
A total of 20 riders made up the 10 teams representing Team Fairtree Imperial Cannondale.
Jordaan and Terblanche crossed the line in a time of 8:21:16 to win the Exarro category, place second in the amateur men’s category and 16th overall. Tobigunya and Montshia recorded a time of 8:18:54 to triumph in the amateur men’s category and place 15th overall.
Furthermore, Lihle Ngidi and Ethan Michaels placed fourth in the Exarro category and 36th overall with a time of 8:51:24, while the women’s team of Yomelela Mfazwe and Ongezo Mini placed third in the women’s Exarro category and 388th overall with their time of 15:18:40.
“We went in with the goal of winning the Exarro category and ended up with two leaders’ jerseys, including the amateur men’s title,” said Norton. “These teams will compete in the Cape Epic 2025 and we are extremely excited about their prospects of winning the Exarro category again. Our women’s team managed an incredible third in the Exarro category, despite technical issues that hampered their progress.”
Having 10 teams compete in the gruelling challenge was by far the team’s best year in terms of participation, Norton added, thanking Wines2Whales for supporting the racing team with the entries and the effort that went into organising the race.
“To our incredible anchor sponsors – DP World, Fairtree Capital, Cannondale and Biogen – thank you for your continued support and backing of this team, which has grown dramatically over a year and shows no signs of slowing down,” he said.
“We are extremely excited by the progress made by many of the riders and look forward to some great results in 2025. The appointment of CP van Wyk as full-time coach has definitely made a significant impact on the results and we now plan on focusing on individual MTB skills and greater team cohesion and strategy in stage events.”
