2008 94.7 Cycle Challenge fastest ever

[Ozzie NL]

I was trawling through the 94.7 results over time and noticed that the 2008 edition has by far been the fastest race. In that year the guys nearly broke the 2h and the girls did break the 2.30. In all previous and subsequent years neither of the elite groups have managed to get close to those times (men typically around 2.10 -15 and women, 2.40 - 2.50).

 

Does anyone know what made that year different from all others?

[Cycling Major]

Not a definite answer but I think maybe there was a different route or part of the route than could make it a bit faster... But like I said I only started cycling after that so its only a guess...

[HairyLegs]

It was a bit of a different route through the JHB CBD that year.

[djvr]

Easier route and according to me was only 92km. Even me averaged 31km/h.

[Minion]

I think it was the shortest the race has ever been. My GPS had it at under 91km. They put in a flat section through town and reduced the climb up Witkoppen (it used to go past Northgate, instead of turning right onto Malibongwe). The finish was also closer to the Jukskei river, removing even more climbing from the route. From 2009 onwards, they added more climbing and distance back onto the route.

[Ozzie NL]

I have been told that the 2012 route was the same as 2008?

[Minion]

2012 was shorter than others, but longer than 2008 and more hills.

2012 started lower down Maxwell drive, had the climb up Joe Slovo and finished further up Maxwell. 2008 had the whole M1 climb, but the Joe Slovo climb is longer.

[Minion]

Map and elevation comparison of 2008 and 2012 through town.

2012 is the rightmost curve, in red.

 

[The Ouzo]

Didn't 2008 finish in the track at Kyalami? I think it was the first year that we didn't actually go around the track but rather went straight on to the start finish straight.

[Minion]

Didn't 2008 finish in the track at Kyalami? I think it was the first year that we didn't actually go around the track but rather went straight on to the start finish straight.

It hasn't finished at Kyalami since at least 2006.

[The Ouzo]

It hasn't finished at Kyalami since at least 2006.

damn. I've done so many I don't remember what was what.

I still think the first ones going anti clockwise around Jhb were the worst.

And then having to do a lap of Kyalami in reverse was not fun right at the end of a 90km ride.