Toti cyclists chase podium finishes in weekend races
A name that Toti is getting very used to see on the podium is Candice Parker-Dennison who managed a magnificent third place, in a time of 3.02.20.
THE highways around Durban came alive on Sunday morning when the long awaited 2017 Aquellé Tour Durban race finally took place, with an Amanzimtoti cyclist chasing the top riders to a place on the winners’ podium.
The road closure for the 105km road race, the 55km cyclocross race (which includes a 10km leg of mountain biking single track) and the hugely popular 45km fun ride attracted another big field of 4,200 cyclists.
Amanzimtoti Cycling Club’s roadies have been consistent with their training and the race provided great riding, views, atmosphere and great times. The weather was on top form with a great tail wind on the way to the finish, reminding cyclists of Durban’s great climate for enjoyment of their favourite sport of cycling.
The winner finished in 2.19.16 with Amanzimtoti roadie Dylan Chapman not far behind in 2.26.30 (third in his age category). Bryan Powell managed to finish in the top 10 in a time of 2.39.09.
A name that Toti is getting very used to see on the podium is Candice Parker-Dennison who managed a magnificent third place, in a time of 3.02.20.
In the cyclocross event, Bridget Theunissen’s fantastic ride saw her secure a lead of nearly 10 minutes from the next competitor. She was first in her age group (U16) in a time of 1.53.53.
Ron Waldburger, Adrian Bradshaw and Pierre Le Roux showed the youngsters that age is just a number. At the ripe old age at 65, all three managed a sub-three hour finish – a personal best for all of them.
On the whole, Amanzimtoti cyclists did the club proud. A summary of the results:
105km: Dylan Chapman 2.26.30 (third in age group), Bryan Powell 2.39.09 (10th in age group), Brett Johnston 2.40.34, Vusi Ntuli 2.40.37, Dillon Holm 2.40.41, Bryan Cusack 2.40.45, Wesley Parker-Dennison 2.42.05, Ron Waldburger 2.56.45, Adrian Bradshaw 2.56.48, Pierre Le Roux 2.56.52, Ian Sayer 2.57.52, Candice Parker-Dennison 3.02.20 (third in age group), Fred Kingsley 3.03.52, Michael Lake 3.08.27, Wade Botha 3.09.23, Zane Raw 3.10.54, Carl Freyer 3.13.31, Gregg Felgate 3.14.18, John von Landsberg 3.21.03, Colin McKay 3.25.47, Brian Clifton 3.46.51, Colin Bedingfield 3.53.58, Chantelle Webber 4.22.35, Megandran Naidoo 4.23.03, Clinton Evangelides 4.31.15, Carol Raasch 4.47.55, Tyrone Castle 4.47.55.
55km cyclocross: Bridget Theunissen 1.53.53 (first in age group), Timothy Theunissen 1.53.54, Andrew and Bronwyn Jones 2.07.35, Ulrich Von Landsberg 2.22.00, Malcolm Wallace 2.26.15, Billy Bridge 2.26.15, Anton Booysen 2.38.00.
45km: Maxie Butler 1.27.23, Neil Butler 1.31.19, Neil Tupper 1.33.29, Byron Mercer 1.51.12, Gareth Weitz 1.51.14, Penny Chapman 1.51.52, Tracy Van Rooyen 1.51.53,
Raz Le Roux, 1:51:53, Nicky Tischendorf 1.52.07, Rene Tupper 1.56.22, Liana van der Linde 1.56.22, Antionette Bedingfield 2.10.37.
The Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge boasts what some riders have called ‘the best single track of any single day event’, passing through two picturesque game reserves – the Gwahumbe Game and Spa and iNsingizi Game and Spa. The 60km is perfect training for the Sani2C which less than two weeks away. It’s tough, undulating, fast and technical but to ride among herds of wildebeest and zebra is an absolute novelty. Brennan fought his way into third overall position, only to take a wrong turn and climb an extra mountain. He still managed a respectable fourth finish (second in age group) in a time of 2.36.
Caryn Harvey Davidson thought it was an incredibly fun track but the bumpiness on a hardtail and those lovely climbs that were thrown into the end few kilometres were torture. She managed a 3.37 and Imke Potgieter completed the race in 4.33.
