Varsities top cyclists go wheel to wheel in Potch

Some of South Africa’s best upcoming cyclists took to the roads of Potchefstroom kitted out in the Varsity colours during the University Sports South Africa (USSA) cycling tour from 4 – 7 July 2016.

It was clear to most that the University of Cape Town and Maties    were the front runners for most of the week and this notion was justified when Matie, Gert Heyns took the overall victory.

The tour took place over the three days and consisted of five stages that tested cyclists in their own way, each offering a different challenge.

The tour started with a short stage of 68-kilometres, where Martin Freyer of UCT took the victory. Michael Blignaut was the top general classified cyclist from NWU but, unfortunately, suffered a broken rear wheel spoke and lost time to the other higher-placed cyclists.

The second stage was a time trial of 20-kilometres which started at the Potchefstroom Military Base and ended at Eleazer Road. Heyns won this stage but Blignaut did his level best to eat up the seconds and make up for lost time.

The second day and third stage was contested over a 110-kilometre stage where   headstrong winds affected the riders.

The effect was that a number of riders formed groups to combat the winds. Once again, Ben Fish was the first rider over the line.

The third and final day was all about the climb and took place at the well-known 1-kilometre Telefoonkoppie on the N12. Heyns took the stage win and just needed a good final stage to take the overall win. The final stage was a 800-metre criterium that took place at the Military   Base. Max Sullivan took the final   stage win where riders needed to outpace the others.

Riders who are passed get eliminated until the 45- minute time limit is completed. Pukke’s Blignaut was one of the riders who was not eliminated.

Pukke team:

Michael Blignaut, Armand Grobler, Eduan Kruyswijk, MC Stoman, Jan Eric Steyn and De Wet Swanepoel.