Stage 2 of the 2022 Glacier Cradle Traverse took the riders though some of the Cradle of Humankind’s best loved trails and into the private property of Portion 58. Usually closed to mountain bikers this section of the region is wild jewel on the urban edge of Johannesburg. As such the riders were in for a treat on Saturday, 1 October.

The 39 kilometre second stage, included 800 metres of climbing, but unlike on Stage 1 when the climbing was spread out, the vast majority of Saturday’s ascending came in Portion 58. “I made a video of that climb,” new mother Raine Fouche said. “I kept thinking I was at the top. But the top just won’t come. I was resting on my bike, reflecting on how tough mountain biking is. When I got to the proper summit I stopped to take in the view and realised it wasn’t actually so hard after all.”

Raine Fouche made her return to racing, four months after giving birth, at the 2022 Glacier Cradle Traverse. Photo by ZCMC.co.za.

Having given birth just four months ago the Glacier Cradle Traverse is Fouche’s first as a mother. After a hiatus from events, enforced by the Covid pandemic and then taking time off riding during her pregnancy she is effectively rediscovering her fitness through taking part in the three-day stage race. Fortunately, it is a very relaxed event.

This fact was reinforced by the fastest men’s team on Stage 1. Loutjie Smit and Stoffel Eckley hail from the Free State and were surprised to hear that they were the stage winners in their category. They even joked about turning professional in their 50s. They were however well behind the top women’s teams and the leading solo men.

William Mokgopo leading the top riders at the 2022 Glacier Cradle Traverse into the Avianto Trails. Photo by ZCMC.co.za.

The race’s top solo man, thus far and likely overall after Stage 3 tomorrow, is William Mokgopo. The 1Race rider is a Cradle of Humankind local and does most of his training in the area. He is also among the few who has access to the Portion 58 trails, providing him with an additional advantage, which he did not necessarily need given that he holds a nearly 20 minute advantage heading into the final stage.

Sunday’s final stage is another short one. Only 39.2 kilometres into King’s Kloof await, along with 620 metres of climbing on another punchy course. Tune in to the action on the race’s Instagram handle @cradletraverse.

The trails along the Crocodile River provided a very different experience to the rocky tracks which cut across the Cradle’s koppies. Photo by ZCMC.co.za.

Glacier Cradle Traverse General Classification after Stage 2:

Men’s Teams:

  1. Team Orange House: Pieter Rossouw & Darryl Clifford (5:13:40)
  2. Efficient Wealth: Loutjie Smit & Stoffel Echley (5:24:26 | +10:46)
  3. Echo International: Karel Jacobs & Jacques Rautenbach (5:25:27 | +11:47)

Women’s Teams:

  1. Madmacs/Coopetto/Bester Performance: Yolande de Villiers & Stephanie Wohlters (4:05:06)
  2. Team WR-Echo: Denni Cartwright & Anneke van der Walt (4:53:08 | +47:52)
  3. Brolloks en Bittergal: Aletti Lowe & Ulande Viljoen (6:00:00 | +1:54:44)

Mixed Teams:

  1. Team P…F: Helena Tarantino & Jacques Human (5:01:11)
  2. Skyfall: Wynand & Natasha van der Berg (5:21:46 | +20:35)
  3. Lifecycle: Gobona Mantle & Warren Rigeford (6:07:53 | +1:06:42)

Stunning rural scenery, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, is part of the appeal of the Glacier Cradle Traverse. Photo by ZCMC.co.za.

Solo Women:

  1. Raine Fouche (7:13:32)

Solo Men:

  1. William Mokgopo (3:44:21)
  2. Stefano Madies (4:04:12 | +19:51)
  3. Kyle Robertson (4:14:40 | +30:19)

To view the full results from the Glacier Cradle Traverse click here.

That’s what teammates are for. A helping hand. Photo by ZCMC.co.za.