Day dethrones Fouche at 2015 Ride for Sight
Krugersdorp rider Tyler Day edged out 2014 champion Herman Fouche, in a close finish, in the men’s Elite and u-23 category at the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight race, on Sunday, February 15.
Both men completed the gruelling 116km race in a time of 02:41:35.
“I knew I stood a good chance, everything worked out just as my team planned; I’m feeling very good [about the win],” said Day, who represents the Westvaal BMC Team.
The 25-year-old also bagged the prestigious Ernest Hunt Trophy, the oldest trophy for cycling in South Africa.
Team Bonitas rider and Boksburg resident Fouche, who crossed the line in an impressive 02:35:49 last year, said he was not happy with the second place.
“I, unfortunately, misjudged the final sprint and the wind played a role,” he said.
Asked where the race was won and lost, the 27-year-old replied: “On the last corner; Tyler had about a 5m lead and I tried to close the gap on him but, unfortunately, lost.
“I’m going to train the sprint a few weeks before next year’s race to make sure I win it.”
Ryan Gibbons of Team Europcar finished third.
The winner in the women’s section was Lynette Burger, who finished in 03:08:37. Vera Adrian and Heidi Dalton completed the podium.
The Dis-Chem Ride for Sight annual event was established to raise funds to fight retinal blindness. This was the 27th edition.
The event has generated over R5-m towards finding treatments for retinal conditions such as Retinitis Pigmentosa and allied conditions.
The 116km race is a seeding event for the Cape Town Cycle Tour and is ideally placed as a pre-race trainer.
The event continues to attract a sizeable and loyal following as all the proceeds go directly to finding cures for blindness and it is organised and manned by volunteers. – @SabeloBoksburg
