Gallery: Maree edges Main in Berge en Dale Championship

MULDERSDRIFT – Scores of cyclists brave the cold weather to participate in this year's Bestmed Berge en Dale Championship.

February 9, 2017

Phathu Luvhengo 2 minutes read

Team Telkom's David Maree beat RoadCover's Kent Main in a sprint to win the 2017 Bestmed Berge en Dale Championship. Photo: BrandBoom.

MULDERSDRIFT – Team Telkom’s David Maree (27) from Fourways edged RoadCover’s Kent Main in a sprint finish to win men’s honours in the Bestmed Berge en Dale Championship.

Maree said the outcome was a bit of a surprise as they had planned their strategy around the team’s sprinter, Reynard Butler, in anticipation of a bunch finish to the 102km road cycling classic.

As it turned out, Maree said he and Main broke clear from the main peloton with about 10km remaining and managed to hold them off in the closing stages. Butler led the leading bunch home to take the third spot on the podium.

Maree described the Berge en Dale race held at Cradlestone Mall on 4 February as a real challenge, but one which suited his strengths.

“The short, punchier climbs suit me as I’m a lighter rider, but it’s the sort of race where you can have a love/hate relationship,” he said.

Telkom and RoadCover took the race by the scruff of its neck from the start, which led to Maree and RoadCover’s Clint Hendricks – who will be defending his Cape Town Cycle Tour title next month – going clear on Krugersdorp Hill. They were joined by Marvin van Musschenbroek.

“We worked well together, but knowing that Clint is a very fast sprinter, my plan was to roll with him and get him to exert himself as much as possible,” said Maree.

Demacon’s Kim Le Court used her power in a sprint finish to retain the elite women’s title. Olympian and Bestmed-ASG’s new leader, An-Li Kachelhoffer, took second place ahead of Clover’s Charlene du Preez.

The 20-year-old Le Court, who hails from Mauritius but is based in Pretoria, was delighted with the result, given that she joined a new team this year.

“I do know Heidi Dalton, who is a good friend, but the other teammates are all new so it takes a while to build up the sort of relationship you need. We are still getting to know each other, but so far it is going great,” she said, explaining that the victory was a good motivation as it placed her in a strong position for the year. “They say if you can win the Berge en Dale, you have a good medal chance at the African Cycling Championships, which will be held in Egypt this year.”

Details: ASG Events, 076 621 1807.