Locals compete in Emperors Palace Classic
Emperors Palace Classic Mountain and Road Race took place last weekend and local cyclists from eMalahleni took part in the fun.
From early on Saturday, April 11, cyclists prepared for the 40km or 20km mountain bike race.
This race took place from Emperors Palace and cyclists rode around right next to OR Tambo International runway.
Altogether 1 500 riders took part in the mountain bike race and the route was done by Lee Stockenstrom, who did wonders on the route.
“It’s urban mountain biking at its best. The track is essentially made up of three sections. The first bit is through a forest, then round the dam and suburbs and finally a 7km flat section right next to the runway all interlinked by pavement rides,” said Lee.
Riders could smell the burning rubber from the tyres as a plane landed and could hear the roar of the aircraft engines.
“The tree section is the best. Six kilometres of winding forest, more than enough room to overtake and slightly downhill, so nice and fast,” said Lee.
There is one technical drop off on the track, where riders had the option to either walk down or use the ‘chicken run’ on the side.
Samantha and Dean Traill completed the 20km in two hours and one minute.
Sakkie van Heerden completed the 40km mountain bike race in 2:51:00 and Renier Bezuidenhout also did the 40km mountain bike race completing it in 2:54:00.
On Sunday, April 12 the Emperors Palace Classic Road Race took place, it was 102km race or 50km. Altogether 7 000 riders entered the road race.
The 102km ride offered a total ascent of 350 metres, it was a flat and fast race.
Dean Traill, Stephan van Heerden, Nathasia du Plessis and Hennie du Plessis are cyclists from eMalahleni that took part in the 102km race.
Dean completed it in 2:42:31, Stephan 3:43:59, Nathasia 4:39:15 and Hennie 5:11:49.
