Team NAD ends 2018 Strong

Dear partners, 

The past weekend, both NAD MTB teams took part in the 2018 FNB Wines2Whales, 3 day multi stage race. Matt Beers and Wessel Botha won the overall title in excellent style and fashion while Nico and Gawie finished in 3^rd place overall. The teams were separated by some of the best XC riders in the world, Alan Hatherly and Simon Andreassen, both riders on the Specialized Factory racing team. 

The FNB Wines2Whales takes place in the Elgin Valley region in the Western Cape and takes riders on a journey from Lourensford to Hermanus* over 3 days of racing including 207km with 4320m of ascent. 

*the race had to be diverted due to violent protests in Hermanus and finished in Oak Valley.

For the first time in the event’s history, there were separate races for the men and women. The women’s race was held on the first weekend (chardonnay) while the men’s race was held on the last weekend (shiraz), also traditionally known as the ‘race’. The change in format ensured that both men and women’s races enjoyed the same coverage and attention from media and spectators. The change was considered a huge success by riders, fans and media.

Having a strong team of riders with experience across different disciplines allow Team NAD MTB to choose the best combination for each race. With the shorter distances and XC style of racing at W2W, team captain, Nico Bell paired young Wessel Botha, an XC specialist with Matt Beers who is a great all round rider, but capable of racing XC with the best in the business. Matt trains with Alan Hatherly on a regular basis and knows his strengths and weaknesses and for the 2018 edition, the NAD combination proved the best in the field. Nico and Gawie took on the challenge as an experienced duo who have raced together over the years. Their experience paid off with a 3^rd place on the overall classification.

From the get go on day 1, Matt and Wessel controlled the pace of the race from the front of the field. The wider open gravel roads at the early stages of day 1 helped whittle the field down to a select group of riders who arrived at the Gantou Pass portage together. 

Matt had to swop out a wheel at the tech zone after the portage and the team lost a bit of time, but were able to ride back to the front of the race shortly after.

Once Matt got sight of Alan, he could see that the U/23 World Champion was struggling with the pace and they put in a large attack. Wessel had to dig very deep, but was up for the challenge and Team NAD was able to put close to 3 minutes into second place riders Hatherly and Andreassen on stage one of the race.

Nico and Gawie made steady progress through the field and were able to ride home in third place on the day.

Results Day 1:

1 Team NAD (Matthew Beers, Wessel Botha) 2:56.01,2
2 Spur Specialized (Alan Hatherly, Simon Andreassen) 2:58.56,9
3 Team NAD 2 (Nico Bell, Gawie Combrinck) 3:02.25,6

The 66km race on day 2 was set up to be the ultimate showdown. The massive bulls-eye of the Yellow leaders jerseys on Matt and Wessel’s back made them easy targets. From the get go, it was clear that Team Spur/Specialized were hunting for stage glory. 

Matt and Wessel were more than up for the challenge and controlled the race perfectly. With the route being made up mostly of single tracks and no real climbs, it was hard to separate the top teams from each other. During the final 6km of the race, Hatherly put in a huge effort to try and distance themselves from the field, but the efforts were matched by Beers and Botha and the stage result came down to a fast and furious sprint.

The run in to the finish was narrow and fast which made the contest for the line that much harder. In the end, Alan and Simon were able to put themselves between Matt and Wessel and took the stage victory by a mere second. 

With no real time difference on the day’s results, Matt and Wessel retained their Yellow jerseys and the bulls-eye for another day. Nico and Gawie finished in 4^th place, retaining their position on GC. 

From a press release by Wines2Whales:

“Late last night the FNB Wines2Whales organisers were instructed by emergency services in Hermanus to stay away from the town – where the race was scheduled to end – because of the protests. A road near the town had been blocked by burning tyres and rocks.

A decision was taken to hold the stage in the Elgin/Grabouw area on an out-and-back course starting and finishing at Oak Valley wine estate. The race’s route team worked through the night to plan a new course and then mark it. The stage they came up with was 56km long and was mostly held on trails in the area that had not been used in the previous two stages”

The final day was not without action for our racers. During the stage, Matt suffered a puncture and with the help of Nico and Gawie, they managed to swop out a wheel, which afforded Matt and Wessel to stay in the fight for victory. 

It took a massive effort to get back to the front of the race, but once they made contact with the lead group, they did not give an inch to any of the other competitors.

“We just all rode together from there. For the last five kays we just had to hang tight,” said Beers. After celebrating on the line in a spray of champagne, Beers said his first FNB Wines2Whales win “is such a good feeling”.

“Wessel has been really great … our riding styles are very similar and we gelled very well” – Beers complimenting his young riding partner.

Matt and Wessel took the overall win in a time of 07:35.26, close to 3 minutes ahead of second place.

Nico and Gawie secured 3^rd place overall and rounded off the podium.

With this result, Team NAD finish off the 2018 season on an excellent high. It has been a great season filled with victories and results which we are all proud of.

Thank you to all our sponsors, partners, family and friends for the continued support. We look forward to achieving great things together in 2019.

All photos by W2W, Nick Muzik.

Gawie Combrinck is coached by PCG Master Coach Hunter Allen