Neotel 25-mile photos

[Baanfietsryer]

 

Neotel 25-mile, Paarl, South Africa - 29 Dec 07.

 

Garth Thomas (CSC) won the 25-mile after slogging it out with Dean Edwards (ChemSpec), Nolan Hoffman (Neotel) and Jamie Ball (MTN) in the afternoon heat.

 

These riders were all two laps up on the field, but it was a battle akin to heavy weights slogging it out as Garth got away from the lead group again in the second half of the race and Dean had to bridge twice to close gaps of more than 200m to stay in touch.

 

It was then well deserved when these two riders took the top spots on the podium. Nolan Hoffman also dragged his battered body back to the leaders on more than one occasion after an earlier accident. He finished fourth. Jamie Ball tried valiantly to break away late in the race, but he was hauled in. The top riders were all together for the final laps of the race and Jamie Ball was riding tempo at the front for the last laps of the race, presumably with the intention to stem further attacks. He was leading the final sprint in the home straight, but was swamped by the recognized sprinters and finished 5th. Durwin Benjamin (Harmony) managed to cruise in for 3rd.

 

Photos and a link to 3 albums are on TrackCyclingSA.co.za

 

 

All rounder2007-12-30 00:33:22

[Willehond]

...and I thought the Boxing day trophy was the biggest ever!  Wow,  that looks bigger than Garth!

Nice to see Francois breaking a sweat as well!

[Chrispy]

Francois??

 

Looks more like Hendrik Lemmer (Groot Lem)

[Breeze]

Mr Groot Lem was the commentator and as i heard, he kept the crowd on their toes..

[David #7]

It adds so much to the racing when the commentator knows who and what he is talking about.

[Baanfietsryer]

Yes, Groot Lem was in his element. Both at Boxing Day and at the Neotel festival. He knows the sport and obviously has a passion for it.

 

He explained race tactics in such a way that the public could understand it. The sound was awesome at Boxing Day. Andre Abrahams and co had speakers set up all around the inside of the field. You could hear what was going on even if you were sitting in the back straight.

 

Well done to both organizers with these two events.