Fourways’ Girdlestone conquers Takealot Tour of Good Hope

Fourways resident Dylan Girdlestone, recently participated in the Takealot Tour of Good Hope where he claimed victory in the fourth stage of the road cycling race, held in the Cape Winelands.

The 29-year-old propelled to victory in a time of 3:41:42. TEG Procycling cyclists Kent Main and Jason Oosthuizen came second and third respectively in the overall standings.

The OfficeGuru racing team rallied behind Girdlestone throughout the challenging race, which in return saw their member defeating Main with less than two kilometres remaining and an impressive time of seven seconds by the time he crossed the line.

Speaking after the race, Girdlestone described the plan they put together in order to overcome the TEG riders. “We basically had a game plan to try to cover the first, second and third places on the GC which maybe was a bit ambitious because the stage was tough and a bit longer than originally planned.”

In the women’s race, Maja Wloszczowska of Poland continued with her dominance, winning her third stage in a row and setting herself up for the top overall spot in her debut Tour of Good Hope appearance.

Wloszczowska concluded her race in her time of 4:30:55, followed by Kross Fit racing teammates Ariane Luthi and Catherine Colyn.

Displaying great climbing strength, Wloszczowska said she enjoyed her rides over the Bainskloof Pass, even though it was hard work in the end. “From the beginning, Catherine [Colyn] set the pace and I, Lucy [James] and Ariane [Luthi] went with her,” she said.

“We all worked together and set a good pace on the flat parts.”