Top South African mountain bikers Erik Kleinhans and Oliver Munnik walked away with the championship title in the overall men's category of the inaugural Wines2Whales mountain bike race on Sunday. They completed the three-day stage race in an awe-inspiring combined time of 10hrs 41min 35sec.

According to Kleinhans, the final day?s route was once again very creative. "We rode over some seriously rough terrain today where some sections actually looked like no one had ever ridden there before. It was great! Overall the Wines2Whales race was amazing. The event organisers have really done an outstanding job in putting together an exciting new event for mountain bikers. Oliver and I will definitely be back next year," says Kleinhans. 'Team Raubwood' placed second, while 'Team Fairbairn Private Bank' finished third.

Penni Rawstorne and Tatum Prince of 'Team Hot Box' were crowned the overall women?s champions when they completed the race in an impressive combined time of 13hrs 33min 45sec. According to Prince, they had a fantastic ride. "The Wines2Whales race will most certainly be sold out next year. It offered one surprise after the other and really is a fantastic event. Each day?s route was lovely and diverse with the most amazing scenery. I?m definitely going to get my husband to take part next year as well," says Prince. 'Team Crazy Chicks' placed second, while 'Team Grapes & Guppies' finished third.

'Team GT Jeep Maties' obtained a first place position in the mixed team category of the Wines2Whales three day mountain bike stage race when they completed the event in a combined time of 11hrs 31min 28sec. 'Team Survivors' placed second, while 'Team Oak Valley' finished third.

Over the course of 3 days teams consisting of two cyclists each had to cross approximately 230km of the Western Cape?s most beautiful and unspoilt terrain. The third and final stage started at 7am on Sunday, 15 November 2009 at Paul Cluver Wine Farm, Elgin. Riders had to endure the toughest, but also most rewarding stage of the race. Route designer Johan Kriegler tapped the knowledge of the locals to include some of the best mountain biking trails in the area, including some single and Jeep tracks linked with locally hand-built trails for the perfect riding experience. This 77km stage included a good deal of 'virgin' trails, including parts of Groenlandberg, the historic Katberg Pass, the Botriver Valley, Karwyderskraal and the Hemel en Aarde valley before ending at the Old Harbour in Hermanus.