Hatrick for Obeholzer, first win for Kruger at Amashova
Carla Obeholzer won her third women's title and Hendrick Kruger took his maiden win at Sunday's Tsogo Sun Amashova.
WINNING cyclists, Carla Obeholzer in the ladies and Hendrik (HB) Kruger in the men’s elite race, sped down the ‘road of champions’ to victory at this year’s Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic on 20 October.
The competition was fierce with the men’s race going down to the wire with a neck-and-neck sprint to the finish between HB Kruger, Chris Jooste, Dylan Girdlestone and Myles Van Musschenbroek. Kruger took first place, followed by Jooste and Girdlestone.
The 106km ladies’ race also came down to a nail-biting sprint finish with 2018 champion Carla Obeholzer edging out Jo van de Winkel at a time of 2 hours 48 minutes. Obeholzer took her third title, followed by van de Winkel and Parys Edwards.
Although the 35km and 65km races went on uninterrupted by the participating cyclists, due to high heat temperatures on race day a decision was made by race organisers to stop the 106km race around midday. Seven buses collected approximately 400 cyclists who were still riding on the Amashova route in the Botha’s Hill region to be brought back safely with their bicycles to the finish area at Suncoast.
“The safety of the cyclists participating in our race is our top priority. Our decision to stop the race and get the cyclists off the road was supported by the Joint Operation’s Centre, which is a collective of a number of senior decision makers from various departments related to the organisation of the event. The residents along the route have been amazingly supportive in so many ways today to assist cyclists who were battling with the heat. We are grateful for all the support and the quick reaction by our partners on the route to ensure the safety and well-being of our cyclists,” stated, Annie Batchelder, Amashova Race Director.
