ALBERTON – Southern cyclists, Tinus Scheepers of New Redruth and Stefano Madies of Glenvista, recently participated in the MTN Panorama Cycle Tour, finishing second in the Veterans 40/49 age category, in White River (Mpumalanga).
The tour has become a popular classic on the South African cycling calendar, attracting more than 400 riders due to its beautiful location in the Lowveld and because of its unique team format.
It is inspired by the model of the European cycling grand tours, with four stages to be completed over four days.
The final stage is a time trial out-and-back route, which leaves suspense until the very last pedal stroke on the final General Classification.
Riders must enter in teams of two, which allows them to support and help each other on the tough, hilly stages of the tour.
Stage three sees the cyclists negotiate a 115km long circular route, which starts and finishes in White River, and includes climbs on Spitskop and the Long Tom Pass as well as a 2 200m vertical ascent.
In the final 39km, the veteran teams were close until the last few pedal strokes. The Dimension Data guys, who were wearing the leader’s jerseys, had to settle for second place on the stage as well as on the General Classification, which was won by the strong BestMed team, Johann Naude and Julien Van Der Pluym.
*Editorial supplied by and space sponsored by Pick n Pay.
