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"Despite the hot and challenging conditions it was a great route and I had fun riding it," said Van Staden. While the field endured blistering heat and plenty of punctures on the hot and challenging route, the medical team had a busy day treating a great number of blisters, scrapes, bruises and more serious injuries. 

Sixteen-year old Mariske Strauss, the third woman to cross the finish line on the 55km route, is pictured here relaxing at the start line.

According to Dr Basil Bonner, race doctor for the event, one rider was taken to hospital with major fractures, while eight riders were referred to hospital for suspected and/or minor fractures and specialist wound care.  

Two riders were treated for severe dehydration but have since made a full recovery. "The nature of today’s injuries can be attributed to the hot and dry conditions, which had made the course incredibly tough, literally and figuratively," adds Dr Bonner.

"Today’s event once again illustrated the importance of proper medical and disaster management back-up and I am thrilled that the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Mountain Bike Challenge offers its participants excellent support in this regard," says Meurant Botha, organiser of the MTB Challenge.

"But what we are most proud of is that this is more than just a race.  Where else will you see families rubbing shoulders with the likes of high-profile cyclists like Kevin Evans and Johan van Zyl," notes David Bellairs, co-director of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour Trust. 

Jolene Koekemoer shows her son how it’s done on the 26km route, proving once again that this is very much a family event.

"We pride ourselves in offering a great day for the whole family and I believe that the family factor is what makes this the largest mountain bike event in the country!"