Another successful EPR Cycle Challenge

Saturday 24 August saw the 18th running of the EPR Cycle Challenge at the spectacular venue of Tarlton International Raceway.

It was the fifth time this prestigious cycle event took place at the raceway and also marks the 10th year that EPR Security is involved in the event.

The early-morning weather conditions on race day were gloomy, cold, windy, and it also was very misty. This was going to see slower times out on the course as the wind did not abate, but the misty conditions did eventually lift as the day wore on.

All funds raised through the event goes to various charitable and needy people in the community, and this is distributed by the Hervormde Kerk, Sionspoort, in Randfontein.

The 120-kilometre Elite Men race was won by Tyler Day for the second year running. Shaun-Nick Bester came in second and Willie Smith third. In the junior men category Gustav Basson crossed the line first and Jandre van Aswegen second.

The Elite Women’s category saw great competition but in the end Juanita Venter finished in first place with Nicolene Thiebaut in second and Charlene Roux in a well-deserved third place.

The veteran men between the ages of 30 and 39 saw Chad Short crossing the line first. Behind him was Gert Fouché in second place and Stephen Cooke in third. The veteran men between 40 and 49 also had a great race with Erich Meintjies in first place. Jackie van Eeden came in second and Samuel de Swardt in the third position.

The men’s category for cyclists older than 50 saw Gary Beneke completing the circuit first. Leon Olivier crossed the line in second place and Joe Visser in third.

The tandems in the 120-kilometre race saw George de Gouveia and Malcolm Barske finishing the race in 3.09.45

In the junior 58-kilometre race for cyclists under 16 years Samuel Lubbe finished in top position with Joshua Lubbe a mere second behind him. Thabo Job came in third. The tandems in this category saw Paulo da Silva and Kim van Klaveren finishing the race in 1.47.07.

Five disabled cyclists competed for the first time at the event, with one finishing the race on a hand-pedalled machine.

The team from EPR Armed Reaction provided the lead vehicles, fantastic sound at the venue, the Start and Finish arch, and also a major sponsorship for the event.

Their personnel also went out early in the morning, putting out the route markers and other signage required for the event. The organisers thank Johan Booysen and his team, for their continued support.

Lund Afslaers provided the sweep vehicles on the route, ensuring that entrants whose bikes had mechanical problems were transported back to the finish venue.

Communication coverage over the whole route was provided by the radio hams of the West Rand Amateur Radio Club. All the major intersections had a radio ham on hand to provide feedback on the progress of the race, and provide essential communication regarding incidents and accidents.

The individual timing of each entrant was done by ChampionChip, and the results of the event can be found on www.championchip.co.za.

Westgate Wheelers also assisted with various aspects of the event, in conjunction with the church community of the Hervormde Kerk, Sionspoort. Many of the marshals on the route were members of the congregation.

The two bikes in the lucky draw were sponsored by Randgate Pharmacy, who has supported this event for many years. Rietchard Scrap Metals sponsored some of the running costs of the event.

The officials from Central Gauteng Cycling controlled the start area and ensured that the riders on the road adhered to the traffic rules, and that there was fair play amongst the competitive licensed groups.

There were four water points along the route, and EPR thanks the staff and teams from Secuquip, RDC, FSK and Security Viewer-Videofied for their assistance.

The people from Cycle Events provided the entry portal for all entrants, and ensured that the riders were seeded in accordance with their abilities. This team also was responsible for the venue where entrants collected their numbers at Cyclelab, Fourways, and they assisted with late entries.

Various other sponsors provided support in various ways, and with their continued support, this event is sure to continue growing well into the future.

Lastly, EPR thanks all the cyclists for their continued support of this event.