After a fast start to the race, eight riders managed to break away on the ascent of Ou Kaapse Weg’s east side. Smith & Assosiate / OBike Maties were represented by Victor Grobbelaar and Stefan Ihlenfeldt while Daikin/Gu’s David Garrett and SA Road Champ Darren Lill (Bonitas), along with Renay Goustra (RSA Web) and Lance Muller (Brothers Sport) were other notable riders in the break.
According to Ihlenfeldt, the riders in the break were committed to work together and try to make the break work. At the bottom of Black Hill the gap to the chasing group was only 30 seconds, but the combination of the break away was good and the chase never really materialised in earnest.
Seven riders started the final ascent of Ou Kaapse Weg together. About half way up the final climb, Lill attacked and split the group with only Ihlenfeldt able to stay with him. Garrett then managed to claw himself back to front two and according to Ihlenfeldt the race became very tactical after the decent.
Lill and Ihlenfedt dropped Garret in the final kilometre and Ihlenfedt managed to outsprint the current SA Champ for the win.
After the race, Ihlenfedt said, “The race route suited me very well today with all the climbs and I was confident that I could outsprint Darren at the finish. I am very happy with today’s win and it means a lot to me and the team.”
Ihlenfeldt went on to credit his new team by saying, “We are a young team with lots of potential. We work well together and have great support. They will become a force to be reckoned with.”
Other Smith & Assosiate / OBike riders were Victor Grobbelaar 6th and Jan de Beer 12th. This means the team also got some valuable points in the team classification.
Ihlenfeldt finished off by thanking the Aca Joe Pro Classic Series organisers for the professional way in which things were done.
Elite Men podium at the 2012 Roller Coaster (left to right): Darren Lill (Bonitas), Stefan Ihlenfeldt (Smith & Assosiate / OBike Maties), David Garrett (Daikin/Gu).
Nice to hear how the race unfolded. I can give an SV report if anyone is interested?