Southerners shows class at cycle challenge

SOUTHERN cyclers held the South name high clinching podium places at the Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge on November 19.

Daryl Impey (Orica Scott) claiming a well-deserved victory while Calvin Beneke (BCX) was on the podium with him.

Impey, who races on the World Pro Tour circuit for Australian cycling team Orica Scott and has worn the yellow leader’s jersey at the Tour D’France, took top honours ahead of local cycling prodigy Calvin Beneke (BCX) from Glenvista in second and Eddie van Heerden (Roadcover) in third.

The Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge saw over 28 000 cyclists take to the streets of Johannesburg and is billed as the second largest timed cycling race in the world (after the Cape Cycle Tour).

Racing commenced at sunrise as the country’s best cycling talents led the charge through the Kyalami race track and up towards Wits University on the famous Ben Schoeman M1 highway. Five “Big Gun” favourites including Willie Smit (Roadcover), Clint Hendricks (Roadcover), former winner Nolan Hoffman (BCX) , Daryl Impey (Orica Scott) and Calvin Beneke (BCX) established an unassailable break, managing to stay away for most of the 94km route. The tough and technical section through Steyn City saw Impey, Beneke and Hendricks hurt their competitors in the uphill run towards the finish line, with Impey powering away to a convincing win, followed by Beneke finishing second and van Heerden in third.

This is Impey’s first win and Beneke’s first podium at Joburg’s most iconic race, although both boast impressive victories at various other cycle races both locally and internationally.

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