Jan Withaar won two stages en route to the 2025 Glacier Waterberg Traverse title on Sunday, 11 May. The foundations of the Insect Science Azimuth man\u2019s victory were laid on Friday and Saturday when he established a 5 minute buffer over Jaedon Terlouw. The PYGA Euro Steel rider won the final stage, but could only reduce Withaar\u2019s advantage by 1:52. In the women\u2019s race, Adrienne Moolman also claimed two stage wins, before Yolande de Villiers won on the last day, but the GIC rider had done enough to win by over 8 minutes.<\/p>\n
Header Image:Jan Withaar defended his Glacier Waterberg Traverse title with two stage wins from the three days of racing on the Summerplace singletracks. Photo by Sage Lee Voges for ZCMC Media.<\/em><\/p>\n The real spirit of the Glacier Waterberg Traverse is far behind the racers at the sharp end. Despite the mud from 1\u00a0300 millimetres of rain in the first five months of the year, which is double the usual annual average for Summerplace Game Reserve, a great time was had by all. Between muddy wallows in the water courses, the singletracks thrilled with long flowing sections followed by short technical pieces. \u201cThe riding here has a bit of everything,\u201d De Villiers praised. \u201cThere are climbs and descents, rocks, smooth trails, sandy sections, and this year, mud, lots of mud. Every South African mountain biker needs to come ride in Summerplace!\u201d<\/p>\n To keep the riding in the \u2018traverse spirit\u2019 as pioneered by the Glacier Storms River Traverse, Dryland Event Management created a shorter Ride and a tougher Race option at the Glacier Waterberg Traverse. The Ride campaigners took on two 40 kilometre courses and a final 30 kilometre long stage, while the Race competitors conquered 50-, 60-, and 40-kilometre routes. Bright sunshine and warm weather helped dry the trails and the riding got better day after day as the long weekend progressed.<\/p>\n On Stage 1, Withaar won by 4 minutes, while Moolman won by 2. The Queen Stage, on Saturday, saw both overnight leaders add to their advantages. Moolman\u2019s dominance on Stage 2 ballooned her lead out to just over 10 minutes, while Terlouw leapfrogged Ignatius du Preez to move from third to second, on the day and on the general classification, behind Withaar.<\/p>\n Stage 2 was also Glacier Day, where the title sponsors treated the riders to a complimentary coffee at breakfast, a post-ride beer, and the trails came alive to a river of Glacier by Sanlam-branded First Ascent cycling jerseys. Social media engagement was rewarded with prizes in the evening, and the Weber Braai chill zone opened early to provide snacks virtually on the finish line. Later, the music played into the night, accompanying the tales from the trails and dancing.<\/p>\n De Villiers and Terlouw thus had uphill tasks ahead of the final stage if they were to seize victories. Both were able to claim a consolation stage win, but Moolman and Withaar did more than enough to secure their titles. \u201cI punctured today,\u201d Withaar explained. \u201cI definitely didn\u2019t want to gift anyone a stage win. If I could have I\u2019d have raced Jaedon to the line.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love this event,\u201d the double champion smiled. \u201cThe trails are incredible and the organisation is so good. Dryland always goes the extra mile for the riders, and it shows.\u201d Withaar himself went the extra mile, doubling back to a water point on Stage 2 in order to help with the braai duties.<\/p>\n Mountain bikers who missed the action in Summerplace can share in the relaxed atmosphere and festive riding experience at the Glacier Storms River Traverse. It is set to take place from the 1st<\/sup>\u00a0to the 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0of August in Tsitsikamma region of the Eastern Cape. To join the social mountain biking extravaganza visit,\u00a0www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n To reflect on the 2025 Glacier Waterberg Traverse competitors and mountain biking fans can like the\u00a0Glacier Waterberg Traverse<\/a>\u00a0on Facebook page, or follow\u00a0@waterbergtraverse<\/a>\u00a0on Instagram. Highlights of the event can also be viewed on the\u00a0Dryland Event Management<\/a>\u00a0YouTube channel. The 2026 race dates will be announced at the end of May 2025, so would-be riders can visit\u00a0www.waterbergtraversemtb.co.za<\/a>\u00a0to stay updated.<\/p>\n 2025 Glacier Waterberg Traverse Results:<\/strong><\/p>\n Men\u2019s General Classification after Stage 3:<\/em><\/p>\n Women\u2019s General Classification after Stage 3:<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
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