Dylan blazes a trail at Amashova
Bridget Theunissen managed to average almost 36km/hour for the 65km race and claimed second position in her age category.
LAST Sunday was finally time to test if all the long, hard hill training was enough to conquer what some might consider to be the most grueling road race in South Africa – the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic.
With Amanzimtoti Cycling Club’s (ACC) riders among the just under 10,000 participants, the 31st year of the event was yet another success.
The weather started out cool and overcast but allowed for a rain-free Amashova. Besides a head-wind in the latter half of the race, the day made for pleasant riding which is what everyone wanted, having over R100,000 in race prize money up for grabs.
ACC’s Dylan Chapman, an ambassador for Giant Toti, had another fantastic race. Being a little fitter and on a better bike, he managed to knock eight minutes off last year’s time, which says something as the winners had slower times than last year. Dylan was only six minutes behind the winner, Hoffman who is a former world championship medalist on the track and two-time Cape Town Cycle Tour winner. Dylan was once again the first Toti rider home, beating the more fancied riders.
There were other ACC members who managed to knock minutes off their times or achieve personal bests which proved that all their long, hard, hill training certainly was enough.
ACC produced excellent results as can be seen in the following results:
106km event: Dylan Chapman (male U23) 2.26.54, Bryan Powell (male 30-39) 2.34.34, Brett Johnston (male 30-39) 2.40.22, Shaun Baker (male 30-39) 2.44.36, Vusi Ntuli (male 30-39) 2.44.51, Wesley Parker-Dennison (male elite) 2.45.21, Willie Tesnaar (male 30-39) 2.56.59, Andrew Jones (male 40-49) 3.05.17, Ian Sayer (male 30-39) 3.06.28, Stan Whiting (male 50-59) 3.09.48, Cindy Theunissen (female 40-49) 3.13.05, Candice Parker-Dennison (female elite) 3.13.07, Pierre le Roux (male 60-69) 3.13.51, Ron Waldburger (male 60-69) 3.13.54, Rienie Beneke (female 40-49) 3.17.57, Gregg Felgate (male 50-59) 3.22.20, John Von Landsberg (male 40-49) 3.24.35, Christo Botha (male 50-59) 3.29.05, Fred Kingsley (male 50-59) 3.33.35, Adrian Bradshaw (male 60-69) 3.42.45, Garreth Keet (male 30-39) 3.43.33, Corrie Steenkamp (male 50-59) 3.48.02, Girtie Steenkamp (female 50-59) 3.48.02, Gavin Grix (male 60-69) 3.48.24, Charlene Felgate (female 50-59) 3.56.47, Gary Marquis-Jones (male 40-49) 3.58.33, Clinton Evangelides (male 50-59) 4.01.55, Penny Chapman (female 40-49) 4.06.22, Craig Chapman (male 40-49) 4.56.03, Nicky Tischendorf (female 50-59) 5.02.31, Telise Tonkin (female elite) 5.05.06, Carol Raasch (female 40-49) 5.13.15, Carla Parker-Dennison (female 50-59) 5.22.02, Peter Parker-Dennison (male 50-59) 5.22.02, Stephen van Rooyen (male 50-59) 5.36.17, Liana van der Linde (female elite) 5.36.??
Bridget Theunissen managed to average almost 36km/hour for the 65km race and claimed second position in her age category. It’s a staggering speed for such a young age HOW OLD IS SHE?. This little woman continues to go from strength to strength.
65km event: Bridget Theunissen (female U16) 1.48.32, Karin Liebenberg (female 40-49) 2.54.37 Craig Dempsey (male 40-49) 2.54.40.
Tyron Pinnoy from Engen Rockview competed in the SA Enduro Champs last weekend which was held at Hakahana (en route to Hartbeespoort Dam). While Hakahana is a super outing and mountain biking experience for the family, Hakahana trails is mainly recommended for its challenging trails and technical terrain. Recently they have become the home of enduro in Gauteng and boast 10 special enduro stages. Tyron managed to complete the demanding course and came fourth in the vets category and a finished in a respectable 26th overall position. An excellent achievement and the club looks forward to hearing more from Tyron.
Unfortunately, the wonderful track the cycling club has built around Hutchison Park was badly affected by the storm which wreaked havoc in Toti a fortnight ago. This weekend, Sunday 29 October, the club is planning a work party to start repairing the damaged track from 1pm to 4pm. If you can help, give your name to chairman, Barry Walker on 083-459-8253. The more help the club can get, the quicker the track will be up and running again.
Wanting to join Amanzimtoti Cycling Club’s rides? Want to find out more about the club? Why not visit the website at www.amanzimtoticycle.co.za.
