Coetzee

The New Balance Triathlon (WP trials) was held at Elsenburg near Stellenbosch on Sunday, 07 December. The race briefing Kevin Vermaak (Cape Epic) was there as well The start Junior World Champ, Richard Murray (WP) Business as usual on the farm... The second leg, cycling The dismount... In the transition area The start of the third and final leg - running (The temperature in the sun at this point was just below 40 degrees.)

I unfortunately missed the 55km winner, but here is Wayne Pfeiffer (2nd) and the rider who came third.

Loaded a few pics - https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=36066

John-Lee Augustyn and Erica Green David George And they're off It came down to a sprint for the line. Brandon Stewart first (03:22:40), Kevin Evans second and Max Knox third (03:33:13). The wining lady, Erica Green (04:21:11). Hilana Marais was second (04:30:33) and Gail Willmott third (04:34:37) A very happy Brandon Stewart. John-Lee Augustyn There were a few crashes... Refreshments after a long ride. A family day. Future champions The support was great...

The full Monty...

Abdelbasset Hannachi winning the elite category Dani?l Heyns winning the juniors Craig Boyes and Evan Carstens joining the funride on their mountain bikes

The first group about to start Kevin Evans winning the 66km Ben-Melt Swanepoel second over the line Mannie Heymans in third place Yolande Speedy winning the ladies Hannelie Booyens in second place In third place, Tania Raats Dominic Calitz winning the 42km Mariske Strauss won the ladies 42km The winners and sponsors on the podium The girls having fun on the podium

For these and many more pics of the Medihelp Crit visit www.oakpics.com. More will be loaded within the next day or two.

Have just received the bank details: Bernard Kapp Hospital Fund ABSA Flexi Save Account number: 920 344 7373 Branch code: 632 005

<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Bernard and his mother Hannelie reading your messages Day 12 after the accident. The wounds on Bernard?s face have healed nicely. It is, however, going to be a slow process as far as the rest is concerned. The healing of the vertebra in his neck is crucial before any of the other fractures in his face can be operated on. The damage to the vertebra is unfortunately quite serious. Bernard has lost a lot of weight. He cannot eat and can only take his food in liquid form. Last night his mother had her first night?s sleep at home after staying with Bernard for 11 days. Bernard and his family have requested me to thank everybody for the get well wishes. It really means a lot to them knowing that Bernard is in your thoughts and prayers. We do not, as yet, have a Bernard Kapp Hospital Fund bank account, but hope to finalise it tomorrow.

Apologies for the 'absence'! I have been pretty snowed under with the arrangements for the Medihelp Crit. The response from Hubbers to date has been overwhelming! Many thanks to each and everyone! I'm planning to visit Bernard later today and will give you an update on his condition. I will also hand him all the get well messages so that he can read and keep them. I have already asked his mom to open an account in the name of "Bernard Kapp Hospital Fund" and hope to give you the bank details later today.

<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Bernard Kapp is 17 years old and is one of identical twins. He loves cycling and joined Harmony WP earlier this year. He desperately wanted to take part in the Medihelp Criterium on Saturday, but it was not meant to be? Last Wednesday he and his training buddy, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, were heading home after their training ride when tragic struck. As they were crossing the busy intersection in <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /> Old Oak Road, opposite the Tygerberg Animal Hospital, a car suddenly stopped in front of him. He lost control of his bike and crashed into the stationary vehicle. It was not a pretty sight. Bernard was very badly injured. He had to be rushed to hospital. A second ambulance had to be called as the first one took too long. He suffered nine fractures to his face, his nose was ripped open and he broke the second vertebra in his neck. He lost his front teeth and his pallet will have to be rebuilt in due course. The fact that he is not paralysed and sustained no injuries to his brain is a miracle. Doctors immediately started working on him and the plastic surgeon put the pieces of his nose together while they he was still in the casualty unit. Bernard was unconscious for three days. His first words when he woke up were: ?Is my bike still OK?? This bike is special. The Kapp family was not financially in a position to buy a new or even a second hand bike for Bernard. But with the help of Lourens Calitz, mechanic at Willie Engelbrecht Cycles, he built the bike up himself with parts that he gathered over a period of time. Although in a pretty bad shape after the accident, the bike can be fixed. Bernard is currently lying in the Tygerberg Hospital and will be for the next six weeks. Due to the nature and seriousness of his injuries he will be in traction for two to three months. Only then will the doctors be able to start operating on him. This long and painful process of recovery will keep him out of school for at least five months. But the net effect will be that he will have to repeat grade 11. He and his twin bother are learners at Brackenfell High School. Another harsh reality is fact that the family doesn?t belong to a medical scheme. They will have to pay every medical bill with money that they, at this point in time, simply don?t have. Getting well wishes from cyclists around the country will mean a lot to him. If you would like to wish him a speedy recovery, please post a message on The Hub or send him an e-mail to harmony.wp@mweb.co.za. We will ensure that he gets every single one of them. And for the rest of us, please be very careful out there and always wear your helmet. Bernard getting support from his girlfriend, Ananda

John Bullens asked his girlfriend and Epic partner, Patrice Vercammen, to marry him after they'd cross the finish line. They got married an hour later at the Lourensford Estate. Both are from the Netherlands. Off the bike and on his knees " Will you marry me?" And he had to ask her again, this time in front of the TV camera "Yes, I will!" A very happy John and Patrice, and a fantastic end to their 2008 Cape Epic

Unfortunately not.

Stage winners: Bulls (Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm), Alb-Gold (Hanes Genze and Jochan Kaess) and Cannondale Vredestein (Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang) Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang Kevin Evans and David George The stage winners handing medals to the top finishers

The Bulls, Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm David and Kevin being interviewed Ready for the podium Shan Wilson says hi The winning ladies crashing after crossing the line Pia Sundstedt getting assistance The winners of the ladies category, Pia Sundstedt and Alison Sydor Roadie Nolan Hofman arrives Johan Labuschagne and Yolande de Villiers Hannele Steyn-Kotze Hanlie Booyens and Erica Green Roel Paulissen signing autographs Tiaan Strauss Jane Seggie and Ischen Stopforth Flip Claes (his fourth Epic) from Belgium and wife Liesbet on a tandem

Awaiting the crowds and of course, the riders... This is not a bike... Part of the crowd with their "Hands up in the air" Mike trying to get the crowd to put their "Hands up in the air" The leaders are close And here they come... The Bulls win the stage Jakob Fuglsang celebrates Kevin Evans and David George come in Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang doing a lap of honour The winners of the 2008 Cape Epic All attention on Roel and Jakob The man behind the design of the route, Leon Evans or Dr Evil Race director, Kevin Vermaak, having a word with Bart Brentjens Mannie Heymans and Ben-Melt Swanepoel arrive Erik Kleinhans and Oliver Munnik The Kenyans come in

Evan Carstens in full flight. He won all gold medals on offer. Clint Hendriks leading the bunch. Evan earning more points... The look... Wilco Strydom is relatively new on the track, but has a lot of potential.

I took these pics in Rimini, Ricioni and Florence while visiting Italy last year in September. Bike lanes in Florence:

Better late than never...

Coetzee2008-03-02 13:30:47

Inspiration at the start And they're off... Sand, sand, sand... Fred Coleske going strong The winner, Kevin Evans Johan van Zyl (2nd) Winner Heletje van Staden Bryan Strauss congratulating daughter Mariske (16) on her 3rd position overall (ladies) Tiaan Strauss The top ladies The winners: Ellani van Wyk (2nd), Heletje van Staden (1st), Mariske Strauss (3rd) DNA Strings

Hanachi winning the race Moolman, Andreas and the rest David and Andreas John O'Connor winning the subvets Robbie and Gary sprinting for 2nd and 3rd Louis Boonzaier winning the juniors Elites on the podium John and Gary Riccardo (Daikin) collecting the vets winner's prize for Naas Vermaak (Daikin) Juniors Women's Elite podium winners Masters PPA sweeping the road.