The best of Cape Town weather was on display for all at the first day of the 2017 SA National Road and Para-cycling Championships, as it kicked off in Wellington in the Western Cape on Tuesday 7 February. The future generation cyclists all under the age of 18 years, the tandem teams, and some of the country’s most inspirational Para-cyclists brought impressive riding to the Time Trial events.
Smoke from the Bainskloof fire hinted the possibility of poor visibility for the early morning session but fortunately cleared before the start of the first event of the day – the under-17 Boys Time Trials.
In the u17 Boy’s race, Ceajay Bosman crossed the line with the fastest time in 21 minutes 44.984 seconds, with Jamie Penfold claiming the second position and Alvin Bronkhorst claiming third on the 14.4-kilometre loop.
The Men’s u17 Podium (from left to right) Alvin Gillespie Bronkhorst (third), Ceajay Bosman (first) and Jamie Penfold (second) at the 2017 SA National Road Championships in Wellington on Tuesday 7 February. Photo: Double ST
Coming from Port Elizabeth, Bosman mentioned that he wasn’t used to the hot conditions. “I’m lucky that I rode earlier this morning. It was tough, though,” he said.
After claiming the ninth position in his category last year, Bosman mentioned that he was expecting a better result and that he had been working hard at it.
When chatting about his upcoming Road Race, Bosman said: “I’m hoping for a podium position on Friday, it’s a very nice route with not too many climbs so I think it will suit me.”
Capetonian mountain biker Penfold, who claimed the second position, said that he was just giving Nationals a bash. “I thought that because I live here, and do enjoy riding on the road, I may as well give this a shot,” he said.
U15 Girls winner, Chante Olivier said: Today was very hot. The sun was burning everything, and I really didn’t expect to win this race. I really thought Chloe (Bateson) rode brilliantly.”
Kelsey van Schoor preps before her Time Trial where she took the win in the u17 Girls category at the 2017 SA National Road Championships in Wellington on Tuesday 7 February. Photo: Double ST
Ceajay Bosman sped to his u17 Boys Time Trial victory at the 2017 SA National Road Championships in Wellington on Tuesday 7 February. Photo: Double ST
Olivier mentioned that she was looking forward to her Road Race later in the week, but knows that Bateson will give her a run for her money.
Kelsey van Schoor took the Championship Time Trial title in the u17 Girls event and was overwhelmed with her result, but also happy at the work she had put in prior to Nationals. “It was tough, it’s never going to be easy when there’s girls that you don’t know,” she said. She mentioned that the most important thing to remember in a Time Trial is to go as fast and as best as you can.
The Para-cyclists took to the tarmac at 11:00, which already showed temperatures of late twenties and rising. Once again, the masters of Hand-cycling, Trikes and Cycles showed the crowds exactly what they were made of.
Claiming the top position in the Men’s C2 category, Olympian Goldy Fuchs was happy with his result of his Time Trial, considering his bad luck at last year’s National where his chain snapped. “The course is quite close to where I live so I’ve managed to train a lot on this course. It was hot on the roads and the wind had picked up, but the course was in my favour,” he added.
Gavin Cowden took the first place position in the Men’s C4 Time Trial at the 2017 SA National Road Championships in Wellington on Tuesday 7 February. Photo: Double ST
When chatting about his Road Race, Fuchs said: “All I need to do is play it smart, and then hopefully I can ride away with another win.”
Hotter and drier conditions have been predicted for the rest of the week, so lots of sun protection and plenty of hydration are highly recommended for athletes and supporters alike.
Follow the racing action live by live timing on the Mobii APP (http://www.mobii.com/app) available on Android and iOS devices in the relevant APP stores. Search for “Mobii Race Results”.
Click here to view your finish line photo and results on Mobii: https://goo.gl/czS7t1
For more information about the SA National Road Champs and full race results, click here: https://www.cyclingsa.com/2017-sa-road-champs/
TIME TRIAL
Para-cycling classes
T1
1. Toni Mould 1:01:27.09
T2
1. Goldy Fuchs 21:21.03
2. Gerhard Viljoen 32:15.61
C2
1. Craig Ridgard 23:32.91
2. Phillo Verlaat 26:24.40
C3
1. Juan Odendaal 23:12.74
C4
1. Gavin Cowden 22:08.54
2. Attie Botha 28:43.30
C5
1. James van Rensburg 22:39.55
2. Dane Wilson 22:48.95
3. Johan Voges 28:37.43
H1
1. Pieter du Preez 40:32.27
H2
1. Justine Asher 41:02.01
H3
1. Stuart McCreadie 23:58.01
H4
1. Gysie van der Niet 28:30.08
2. Barend Coetzee 35:21.80
TANDEM MIXED
1. Jackie van Eeden and Juanita Venter 40:13.478
2. Elizabeth Smit and Willem Basson 42:42.261
TANDEM MEN
1. Anton Reyneke and Francois Esterhuizen 41:41.260
2. Petrus Laubscher and Johan Geyser 42:33.874
U17 Boys
1. Ceajay Bosman 21:44.984
2. Jamie Penfold 21:59.216
3. Alvin Gillespie Bronkhorst 22:05.655
4. Matthew Fortuin 22:06.660
5. Charl Swanepoel 22:13.779
U17 GIRLS
1. Kelsey van Schoor 23:52.799
2. Simon Farber 02:26:32.143
3. Mischka Strydon 26:57.667
4. Charlissa Schults 27:44.073
5. Luchelle Phillips 27:46.451
U15 BOYS
1. Nicholas van Rooyen 24:25.614
2. Chanton Perrins 26:13.860
3. Rayaan Fataar 26:34.869
4. Daniel Grobbelaar 26:56.310
5. Jordan Bold 27:02.311
U15 GIRLS
1. Chante Olivier 26:30.796
2. Chloe Bateson 27:19.646
3. Lalique Broxham 30:05.572
4. Anna Marx 30:42.637
5. Sonica Klopper 31:09.096
U13 BOYS
1. Francois de Jager 20:11.725
2. Shaun Wolfaardt 20:23.120
3. Ethan Kulsen 21:12.932
4. Zakariyyaa Martin 21:17.531
5. Tawfeeq Shira 22:01.520
U13 GIRLS
1. Mia Fortuin 22:35.535
2. Jessie Munton 25:33.686
U11 GIRLS
1. Danel de Jager 23:07.950
2. Mine van der Walt 27:46.355
3. Jana van der Walt 28:50
U11 BOYS
1. Gustav Roller 21:13.302
2. Alessandro Fanicchi 22:05.792
3. Camaron Wilcox 24:15.824
Hope he heals well. Jikes.
Also known as Hellington ????????????????