The championships were hosted in Badplaas from Saturday to Sunday, January 17 to 18.
Cyclists of all ages and from all over Mpumalanga attended the championships.
The 83km road race was held on Saturday morning, but due to the rain and heavy mist, organisers reduced the distance to 60km. Patrice took and held the lead, winning his category.
After the road race, the cyclist got to rest for a few hours, before tackling the 20km individual time trial in the afternoon.
Cyclists were sent off in one minute intervals and it was a race against the clock.
Patrice took the win once again in this category.
After this time trial, cyclists took the evening to rest and to prepare their bikes for the next day’s races.
On Sunday morning, cyclist started with a 5km Hill Climb, Patrice once again gave it his all and won his category.
Jaco Roos, who competes in the u.23 category, recorded the fastest time on the hill climb for the day.
That afternoon, participants faced the final stage which was the criterium of one kilometre laps for 20 minutes and then when the final whistle goes, cyclist give it their all.
Patrice won this race as well and was given a score of 20.
Cyclists from eMalahleni, who also competed in the championships are Jaco Roos (scored 16), Barry Crouch (scored 7), Susan Dannier (scored 20), Nick Pretorius (scored 10), Andre van der Bruyn (scored 12) and Johan Stofberg (scored 10).
Jaco, Susan, Patrice and Andre were all chosen to represent eMalahleni at the South African Road Championships.
The SA champs will take place from February 3 to 8 in Nelspruit.
“I have two weeks of hard training left and I am going for the gold once again,” said Patrice.
For now he will be doing lots of interval riding, hill reps and a bit of distance.
On Saturday, January 24 Patrice will be competing in the first leg of the Mountain Bike Racing Mpumalanga Provincial Cross Country Series.
It will take place in Nelspruit at Mankele, the next stage is February 14 at Uplands, stage three is on March 14 in Sabie and the final is on April 11 in Mankele.
“Cyclists have to take part in two of the first three stages to qualify for the final stage,” said Patrice.
