Van Wyk and Louw win at Ride for Sight
Van Wyk sprinted to the finish to win the men's race in 02:36:26 while Louw took first wheel in the women's race in 03:36:46.
Joshua van Wyk and Lize-Ann Louw clinched the men and women’s 116km races at the 34th Dis-Chem Ride for Sight on February 19, at Boksburg Stadium.
In a high octane and hell-for-leather sprint on the home straight, velodrome expert Van Wyk pulled off one massive kick, outsprinting everyone to take the first wheel in 02:36:26 and successfully defend his title.
In his first competition after breaking five ribs, a collarbone and a scapula, the Farrarmere resident spent much of the race in the bunch, while his ACDC Luso Africa teammates did the donkey work after a small breakaway from the peloton, ensuring he preserves enough energy for the sprint at the end.
“Last year, I didn’t have a team. I couldn’t rely on anyone. Today, we had a really good team that’s committed to helping me win.
“They didn’t hesitate even once to help. I didn’t need to ask. Without that, the breakaway would have stuck and I wouldn’t have been able to pull off the win,” he said.
The much flatter and straight finish on Jubilee Road, which allowed for a bunch sprint, worked in favour of the Höerskool Han Moore alumni.
“Towards the end, we thought we weren’t going to catch the small breakaway. We caught them and it was my job to sprint because the team had been working all day for me. It put a lot of pressure on me but I’m glad I could deliver.”
Emile van Niekerk clinched the second wheel while Herman Fouchè completed the top three.
Louw, a runner-up last year, found herself in an entanglement as the top four women were separated by milliseconds after they all finished in 03:18:46.
“It’s all down to hard work. Credit and honour to God. It was a nice race. I take every race as it comes and hopes for the best,” she said.
S’annara Grove finished second while Ricci-Lee Brookstone clinched the third wheel.
The race attracted over 2 700 cyclists while over 400 volunteers ensured the event was a success.
The race’s secretary, Claudette Medefindt, thanked the volunteers for their hard work and the people of Boksburg south, areas around the route and motorists for their patience.
“The race has once again demonstrated what can be achieved when a community unite for the greater good.
Over 400 volunteers, EMPD and community leaders from organisations including Springs Wheelers, Rotary Service Clubs and Retina SA all joined forces to stage a superb road cycling event.”
Medefindt also thanked the volunteers for filling the potholes and Acti Asphalt for donating tar to ensure the roads are safe for the participants.
The proceeds from the event go to Retina South Africa to find treatment for retinal blindness and to provide support and counselling for young patients.
“Retinal blinding conditions are most commonly diagnosed in families with no previous history of vision loss and with over 10 million people in South Africa estimated to carry a genetic mutation for these diseases, every family is a risk.”
The Dis-Chem Ride for Sight has so far raised over R10m for Retina SA.
Also Read: Van Wyk wins Ride for Sight again
Also Read: In Pictures: 34th Dis-Chem Ride for Sight
