Shusha and Smith rule at Wild Coast MTB Classic
23-year old Durban North resident Hayley Smith walked away with the 40km women's race at the first time of asking.
TWO KwaZulu-Natal cyclists, Lindani Shusha and Hayley Smith, took the honours in the feature races of the Bestmed Wild Coast Sun MTB Classic near Port Edward on Sunday.
Durban North resident Hayley Smith walked away with the 40km women’s title when she finished in 2:04:26, ahead of Debrah Thomas (2:10:29) and Jill Lynch (2:31:14).
The 23-year-old Smith, who grew up in Margate on the South Coast said she had achieved her objective by taking the women’s 40km title.
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“Although it was my first Wild Coast race, I knew what it entailed so I came here with the goal to win. I’m delighted that it turned out that way. It has been an awesome experience,” she said.
Smith also got away early on and initially rode with the leading men’s bunch.
The 21-year-old Shusha picked up the men’s 40km title for the first time. He led from the start and looked comfortable throughout.
Crossing the finishing line at the Wild Coast Sun hotel in 1:48:00, Shusha came home just more than five minutes ahead of Wayne Tarr (1:53:11), with Nduduzo Ndlovu third (1:59:21).
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“I managed to build a small lead and was able stay in front throughout the race. I felt I was able to handle the uphills and I still felt quite strong at the end. I’m very happy that I was able to win this time after last year’s result,” said Shusha.
Honours in the men’s 20km race went to 13-year-old Nicholas de Bruin, who stopped the clock on 1:12:48. The women’s title went to Zinnia Freitas, who finished in 1:38:00.
