Emperors Classic 2016 (road)

[mecheng89]

Great race in AL. Good pace at the start, great pace going past Carnival, awesome pace heading to Heidelberg. Some beautiful bikes in the bunch (loved the black bike with the pink Mercx graphics). Discipline at the end was torrid, but what can you expect, it's nearing the end, and okes can smell an uphill sprint finish. 

 

What was up with those short riders joining our bunch?! They couldn't keep up anyway  . Felt very safe apart from a few very close calls. Ractec app says 2:20-ish for official time. 

[Veebee]

2:42 for me from EL. Some touch and go moments in the bunch in the first 45, had to brake hard a few times to keep out of trouble.

 

My legs went dead at the 45km mark, then took some time to recover and picked up the pace again.

 

Lekker flat and fast and my first sub3 so no complaints.

[Cycotic]

Also got a 2:43 from EL. As Brickleberry and Vivek have mentioned, we had quite a few sketchy moments in the big bunch in EL for the first 40 - 50km. Guys were slamming on brakes every few km's. At one point I was almost sideways on the brakes as my back wheel started to slide out. Have no idea how I didn't end up on the tar, but thankfully didn't. Lost my nerve a bit after that and dialled it back a notch, which caused me to lose contact with the front bunch. But found a few nice smaller groups in the second half and didn't lose too much time.

 

Race was well organised and we didn't have any issues with the short route riders. Most of them kept well left. Marshalling was great and I enjoyed the route. Failing any issues, will be back next year. Thanks Gerald and team.

[Underachiever]

Nice training race in VB - lekker fast and safe.   Enjoyed the new route!!

 

Well done ASG!

[Dgas]

Well organized. No drama. Cold start. Very very flat. Rode VC and did a 2:21 I think. Easy race.

Rode VC also finished with the main group at 2.20. No issues in the group apart from the commissaire screaming at a few of the guys who went over the white line. Had a traffic police car with us all the way as well as one or two motorbikes so safety was good. Some bad roads in the first 45km, no potholes but very rough.

[Firozfx]

Was in EL. Always near front. Pace was good for about 40kms. Then the pace slowed. I jumped on the front with 3 other guys. Put the hammer down after a right turn. Pace was very hot. Enjoyed it on the front. Backed off around 80 into the bunch. Finished on 2h33. Eased off on the last straight.

 

Respect to the mountain biker on a cannondale with knobblies for staying with us the whole way.

 

And the guy in black kit riding with red crocs. Lol.

[Brickleberry]

Was in EL. Always near front. Pace was good for about 40kms. Then the pace slowed. I jumped on the front with 3 other guys. Put the hammer down after a right turn. Pace was very hot. Enjoyed it on the front. Backed off around 80 into the bunch. Finished on 2h33. Eased off on the last straight.

 

Respect to the mountain biker on a cannondale with knobblies for staying with us the whole way.

 

And the guy in black kit riding with red crocs. Lol.

Thanks for dropping me ????, I felt the pace hot up around 50ks and my legs fell off for about 10 min, but they came back eventually.

[26er]

4 of us broke away from AL 48km in (Was not really the best timing I know)

Caught by the bunch about 70km in..

Did pay a bit of interest near the end,but had a great time..

The Marshals were great

Will be back next year

[26er]

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[2wieltjies]

Very good race, VA well behaved really enjoyed it. Came in on 2:11

[Joe Low]

Sub-3 from F, didnt think i'd see those days again, so very nice ego trip.  Shhh about shortish, flattish, not much wind - a win is a win, let the record show!!!!

[CleatsnCleavage]

Realised today how NB a role marshals play. Saw a one or a traffic officer physically restraining a motorist who was out of his car. Also a taxi almost got through an intersection as the bunch passed. Rode DL and went out too hard,sat on the front to avoid crashes and paid the price, dead legs. Managed a 2.40. Guys rode nicely not on the right hand side of the road like recent races. Loved team vitality tent afterwards and my free entry.

 

For all of you moaning about driving to race registration,in Cape Town at most races you register on the morning so not sure why they can't do it here

[Brickleberry]

I could see the anger on a lot of drivers faces today. A lot of them looked very unhappy about waiting , can't be easy containing the anger of the whole of Boksburg ???? Marshals and traffic cops did a fine job, and I don't think it's an easy one on such busy roads

[CharlesZ]

An excellent ASG organised event!!! Thank you to all that was involved not just ASG but all the supporting crews, metro police, etc. Just heard of an cyclist that got hit by a car but no details of it

 

Race was fast and one will expect close calls especially in the racing cat but in general excellent!!!! Thank you VA bunch..also 2:11 but a failed attempt in last 2km to get away.

[Li Mu Bai]

Good race, new route is enjoyable and mdway climb much more relaxed.

Not much help reeling in the midway break, some 12 or so AL guys putting in the effort.

Enjoyed a strong finish, dissapointed not to have noticed the 2 guys who stole 20 odd seconds on the bunch.

will be back.

[W@nna-BE]

Very good race, VA well behaved really enjoyed it. Came in on 2:11

Had loads of fun on VA today... Well atleast until mr Baxter and I decided to do the Tango on the last downhill after the highway bridge.... Very very scary, I thought we were going down hard at pace! Fortunately all ended well, but I lost my nerve and legs , finished with the chase bunch in 2:11, definitely a PB for me on many aspects.

 

Big thanks to Gerald for all his help the past few months!!!