THE highways around Durban came alive on Sunday morning when the long awaited 2016 Aquellé Tour Durban race finally took place.
In a region where the safety of cycling on the roads is currently a hot topic, the guaranteed road closure for the 105km road race, the 55km cyclocross race (that includes a 10km leg of mountain biking single track) and the hugely popular 45km fun ride, attracted another big field of cyclists.
Amanzimtoti Cycling Club’s roadies have been consistent with their training and the race provided great riding, great views, great atmosphere and great times. The weather was on top form for the day and reminded everyone what a great climate there is for cycling in Durban.
The winner finished in a time of 2.20.00 with an Amanzimtoti roadie, Bryan Cusack, finishing not far behind in a time of 2.36.00 (fifth in his age category).
A name that Toti is going to see a lot of on the podium in months to come, is Shelley Higgo who made excellent time, finishing a mere two minutes behind the winner – in a time of 2:53:29, making her third overall women, second in her age category.
Malcolm Wallace, who last weekend rode the 36One MTB Challenge (360kms in 25 hours) to raise funds for the Levi Lionheart Foundation, a charity which raises awareness about children’s cancer, joined in the fun and rode the cyclocross event. He managed it in a respectable 2:20:25.
On the whole, Amanzimtoti’s cyclists did the club proud.
In order of times, is a summary of the results:
Men 105km: Bryan Cusack (fifth in age group) 2.37.42, Bryan Powell 2.39.59, Wilhelm Tesnaar 2.40.06, Wesley Parker-Dennison 2.40.37, Dylan Chapman 2.40.39, Gerrie van Biljon (sixth in age group) 2.46.50, Dillon Holm 2.47.30, Vusi Ntuli 2.47.30, Ian Sayer 2.53.26, Brett Johnston 3.00.34, Carl Freyer (fifth in age group) 3.01.51, Adrian Bradshaw 3.04.24, Pierre le Roux 3.05.56, Tommy Maritz 3.10.03, Stan Whiting 3.10.35, Colin Bedingfield 3.29.29, Steve van Rooyen 3.36.21, Sieg Meintjes 3.50.55, Peter Parker-Dennison 4.06.48.
Women 105km: Shelley Higgo (third overall women, second in age group) 2.53.29 Michelle Burn (fourth in age group) 2.58.05, Candice Parker-Dennison 2.59.53, Nikita Turck 3.29.28, Drienie Willers 3.38.28, Lauren Symmonds 3.44.13, Carol Raasch 5.18.10.
55km cyclocross: Malcolm Wallace 2.20.25, Billy Bridge 2.23.00, John Von Landsberg 2.27.21, Neil Tupper 2.37.57, Hennie Nel 2.58.31, Roland Bezuidenhout 2.58.31.
45km road race: Neil Butler 1.37.49, Maxie Butler 1.37.49, Mohammed Adam 1.53.00, Rene Tupper 2.25.25, Tracy van Rooyen 2.25.26.
Amanzimtoti Cycling Club’s Mambas also had a great race to ride this past Sunday, the Husqvarna MTB Challenge. For the first time, the race took place two weeks before Sani2C, giving Mambas a perfect pre-Sani training opportunity.
It offered a new, longer riding route and incorporated many miles of top-notch single-track for riders and, as an added bonus, the 40km took riders through two game reserves – the Gwahumbe Game and Spa and iNsingizi Game and Spa. The serious mountain bikers could choose either the new 60km Husqvarna Classic MTB X-treme or the 40km Husqvarna Classic route, while fun riders had the choice of an 18km Gwahumbe Family Experience or the 10km route.
In order of times, is a summary of the results:
60km: Henk Bester (12th overall, third in age category) 2.44.
40km: Hardus Burger 3.06, Werner Hefer 3.28 Imke Potgieter (second in age group) 3.10, Penny Chapman 3.11.
10km: Evan Smith 1.54.
