Durban couple claim inaugural cycle titles

HILLCREST’S international pro cyclist Travis Stedman and girlfriend Chloe Bateson achieved a rare ‘couple’s goal’ on Sunday when they both won the Nozulu Durban to Port Shepstone Cycle Challenge in tough conditions.

In the men’s race, Stedman showed his international experience and power by outsprinting Warren Moolman to claim the inaugural title, but he made life a little more difficult for himself with a great show of sportsmanship that allowed Moolman to contest the sprint.

The pair had broken away from the rest of the field, and as they approached a tricky, twisty finish, on the beachfront road in Port Shepstone, it was clear the pair were going to sprint for the title, with Team Qhubeka’s Stedman the overwhelming favourite to claim the win.

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As the pair came out of the sharp penultimate turn, which led into a small climb about 300m from the finish, Moolman tried an early attack to surprise his more illustrious rival. But as he tried to power away, he pulled his foot out of his cleat.

It would have been easy for Stedman to simply ride away and claim the win as Moolman struggled to reconnect his foot to his pedal. However, in a show of true sportsmanship, Stedman pushed Moolman up the hill to allow him to re-cleat, and the pair were then able to resume the battle for the title.

As it turned out, Stedman was too quick in the sprint, and the talented young 2021 winner of the Joburg 94.7 title added another win to his CV with Moolman second and Josh Rheeders riding home alone, two minutes behind in third position.

It was a bit of a double triumph for Stedman with his girlfriend of four years, Bateson, who was also able to sprint home for the women’s title.

Bateson had a few dramas of her own when a puncture nearly robbed her of the title while she was comfortably in the lead. Another rider saw her plight and lent her a tube out on the route, allowing Bateson to chase down Jeanne Grace, and she matched Stedman by sprinting to victory, as well.

Grace ended second with Nicole Rademan taking third position.

Nozulu Durban to Port Shepstone Cycle Challenge results:

Male Results
1 Travis Stedman 04:17:09
2 Warren Moolman 04:17:10
3 Josh Rheeders 04:19:23
4 David Shelly 04:26:45
5 Gavin Shelly 04:46:18

Female results:
1 Chloe Bateson 04:54:35
2 Jeanne Grace 04:54:36
3 Nicole Rademan 05:12:56