The Toyota Specialized team wrapped up the 2024 season in spectacular fashion at Wines2Whales, an event known for its challenging climbs, technical descents, and unpredictable conditions. Kicking off at Lourensford, riders battled through the 64 km with and 1,300m of climbing on Stage 1 to Oak Valley, and after two more brutal days, they ended the race at Benguela Cove in Hermanus, with Stage 3 covering 950m in elevation gain. With the pressure on from the start, especially with Toyota as a major event sponsor, the team came through in true style, winning all three stages and securing the overall win. “A big thanks goes out to our incredible partners—Toyota, Specialized, Oakley, Van H, Thule, Cadence, Squirt, and Ikhamb —who make this success possible,” said Team Manager Cherise Willeit

Stage 1 Recap: Pacing, Strategy, and Some Good Old Running Legs

Stage 1 is often considered the make-or-break day, and rider Matt Beers knew they had to go all-out right from the start. "The plan was simple—hit the first 20-minute climb hard enough to shake everyone but leave just enough gas for the rest of the day," Matt said. Honeycomb was the only team to keep pace, but a dropped chain 8km into the race disrupted their rhythm. After that, Matt and Alex capitalized on their running speed over the portage section. "Maybe it's the long legs," joked Matt, “but Alex took off fast at the start of the portage, and I thought, ‘Oh gosh, this guy’s a beast!’” The duo’s strategic pacing allowed them to push hard to the finish, building a lead of over four minutes. “We were really happy with that result,” he added, noting the importance of keeping a steady rhythm, even when other riders started fading post-portage.

Stage 2: A Day for Aggression and a Close Call
With a comfortable lead, the initial plan for Stage 2 was to ride defensively. But with some fierce headwinds and various attempts from Team Buff Megamo and Honeycomb to get away from the Toyota Specialized Team, Matt knew they had to play offense to secure an advantage. “I asked Team Mechanic Nick Friend to fit a 42-chain ring for the day, knowing it would give us an edge on the fast descents,” Matt said. “Alex was, as always, sharp and right on my wheel—it’s such a relief to have a partner you can rely on to stay perfectly positioned.” The duo was flying, gaining roughly 10 seconds on each sighting of the chasing teams. But the race threw a curveball when Alex misjudged a corner, ending up in a ditch. “I was  worried he’d broken something, but we did a quick check and kept going,” Matt recalled. “I told him, if nothing’s broken, suck it up! And he did. He rode on pure adrenaline to the finish.” It was a defining moment for Alex, showing incredible resilience and earning them a character-building win for the stage.

Stage 3: Tactics, Timing, and a Well-Earned Victory
With a six-minute buffer going into the final day, Matt and Alex opted to hang back initially, letting the fierce battle for second and third unfold between Imbuko and Honeycomb. "We let them wear each other out, watching for the right moment,” Matt said. When they hit the Wheat Fields—a notorious slog of a climb—they knew it was time to make a move. “We hit it hard, broke the elastic, and decided to go for the stage win,” Matt recounted. With a solid lead, they could savour the final  moments of the race and take in the atmosphere at the finish. “It’s always a great feeling to take that last stage win and finish three for three,” said Matt. “The team spirit has been fantastic all season; it’s not every day you find such a supportive and fun team environment.”

Johan van Zyl and Rudi Koen: The Team Players
Johan and Rudi entered Wines2Whales as the backup team for Toyota Specialized and Imbuko. While they encountered challenges on Stage 1, they made significant strides by Stage 2, finishing in 5th and capturing a solid rhythm on the technical trails. Stage 3 saw them riding alone against a relentless headwind, but Johan kept a steady tempo, enabling them to secure 8th overall. "It was a great learning experience, and communication was key,” Johan said. “I focused on giving Rudi as much draft as possible and kept us moving smoothly." Reflecting on his Specialized S-Works Epic 8 setup, Johan was happy with its performance. "The Renegade tyres gave us the grip we needed, especially in the sandy sections," he added. Equipment That Made It Possible Matt and Alex both rode on the Specialized Epic S-Works World Cup bikes. “It’s a responsive, slightly firmer ride than the Specialized Epic 8, but it was the perfect setup for Wines2Whales,” noted Matt. Throughout the three days, they didn’t encounter a single mechanical issue, underscoring the reliability of the Specialized Epic, the equipment and their team’s meticulous preparation. With Wines2Whales marking the last race of a memorable season where the whole team was present, Toyota Specialized’s triple-stage win highlights their dedication, teamwork, and the strength of their partners.