Sand make cyclists having to work hard

What better way to kickstart the 2015 cycling season than a weekend filled with the sound of bicycles and gears clicking away?

The past weekend saw cyclists from all over the province gather at Forever Resorts Tshipise to participate in the second Tshipise Road Race.

This year, P&L Cycling Club combined their efforts with the Ultimate Cycling Club of Musina, as well as Limpopo Cycling, in presenting the Limpopo Road Championship, which showed an increase in the number of participants. Compared to the first year, this year the race showed a staggering increase of 350% in entries.

With the race forming part of the provincial championships, competition was fierce. On Saturday, Maurice Ferreira picked up the pace on the 100km road race and finished in first position in a time of 2:43:32, with Jeanette Naudé claiming the first podium position for the ladies in a time of 3:01:26.

Kombo Bere, upcoming local cycling sensation, took first honours in the 50km race, finishing in a time of 1:28:42. Another local cyclist, Renata Joubert, was the first woman across the finish line in a time of 1:28:50. Chase Trollope (25:31) and Anna Elisa Gutierrez (28:09) were the overall winners in the 15km race.

On Sunday morning, the first ever Forever Resorts Tshipise Mountain Bike Race was hosted and attracted more than 200 participants. This race proved a challenge from the outset and was dubbed the “Sand Monster”, with sandpits testing cyclists’ technical biking skills to the utmost.

The 10km fun ride took participants through the beautiful Tshipise resort, with friends and family cheering along the way. Johan van den Heever and Anischka Neethling were the first man and woman home in their respective categories.

Marco Roets of Louis Trichardt finished the first ever 25km route in 1:05:55 and Ashley Murray was the first woman across the line in a time of 1:33:08.

In the 50km race, Kombo once again took home the prize money, flying past in the first lap of the race in under an hour. He completed the race in a time of 2:04:53. Louwrinda Dando was the first woman, and crossed the finishing line in a time of 3:12:06.

The race organisers thanked Forever Resorts Tshipise’s general manager, Pieter Erasmus, for hosting the race. “We would also like to extend our gratitude to our secondary sponsors, Toyota Musina, FNB Musina, members of the Ultimate Cycling Club and the P&L Cycling Club, as well as Vonitel Radio in Louis Trichardt,” said the organisers. Special thanks also went to the medical personnel, as well as Dr Richard Schmidt for his professional assistance, Brig Eddie van der Walt and Capt Mills from the SAPS, Adel and TS Nefdt, Silver Edge Studio, marshals and supporters.

Sport - Date: 27 February 2015

Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

Email: [email protected]