The Nedbank Gravel Burn is a seven-day, roughly 750km gravel stage race through the Karoo, now in its second edition. It started in Robert Sobukwe Town (Graaff-Reinet) and wound through Gwanishi before finishing with a stage through Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, 31 October, the riders' route taking them past giraffe and through Big Five country on the way back to camp.

Nick won the men's 65-69 category outright, crossing the line in a final time of 25 only 35 minutes 54 seconds clear of Peter Felber of Switzerland ,also an ex runner and Swiss Champion in his younger days in 2nd, with Bart Meganck of Belgium who was in 2nd place after the first 3 stages,  in 3rd. Felber claimed the Toyota Power Climber jersey for the category on the final stage, but it was Nick who held the overall lead all the way to the finish.

Nick said  “I have won numerous long and Ultra distance events in different sporting codes in my career since 1984 but must say I have to fought hard to keep the leader’s jersey after I lost it in stage two.

I sincerely want to thank Nedbank and the entire team who put up a World class cycling event and also for all the spoils and great food and ablution facilities at the Burn camps in a remote area in the middle of nowhere or any towns close by.

They say you are never too old to learn and I experienced just that- I learned how to fuel proper and better than ever during an Ultra event and wants to thank our partner Biogen who`s energy products -especially the Elite carb range of Energy gels , pre-race fuel ,Carbogen and Recovergen to make sure I never was in a state without energy. Also, for Biogen`s full range of Multi vitamins and minerals which I took daily after supper that made sure I did not get sick.

 

Well, done to the team of Kevin Vermaak who make every effort to impress to make this a different race than the normal and an experience to remember for life. They took  important decisions during the race to make sure cyclist safety come first and send out a message to the Cycling World that this is a World Class Gravel race not to be missed.”

In the professional race, Matthew Beers (Toyota Specialized) claimed his second consecutive Nedbank Gravel Burn title, while Nele Laing (Canyon DT Swiss ATR) held the Orange Jersey for the full week to win the Pro Women's race. Congratulations, Nick, from the whole Green Dream Team on a result to remember.

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