Active Bodies cycle to victory

A MASTER class in long-distance team-trialing was displayed by the composite team of Active Bodies as they defended their Coronation Double Century cycle race title in Swellendam at the weekend.

The team took the title in a time of 4:32.41 in what was billed as a three-horse affair between the winners, Alfa Bodyworks/Giant and Bluff Meat Supply.

Contending teams lost many of their riders early on (teams start with 12, but are required to have only six together at the finish).

Active Bodies kept all 12 together for most of the 202km route, losing only a few riders in the final 20km.

Alfa Bodyworks/Giant finished in second place for the third year in a row, while Private Client Holdings Racing (in the colours of UCT) rounded out the podium.

Active Bodies team captain Bradley Potgieter said: “We’ve raced this event a few times together as a team and we knew we were in with a shot.

“We just tried to put all our experience together and keep it calm and steady, and not do silly things. Even though our time wasn’t faster than last year, it felt much better.”

Potgieter leads a team featuring several experienced South African pros as well as current international riders Willie Smit and Kent Main.

The women’s category was won by STS/Specialized, who finished in a time of 6:14.53, ahead of pre-race favourites Flashie Ladies and Pure Savage Ladies in third.

The mixed division was taken out by Bluff Meat Supply Mixed, with Cape Cycle Tours in second and Pure Savage Mixed Racing rounding out the podium.

The marketing, media and sponsorship director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, David Bellairs, said that this year also saw new interest from various European media outlets, as well as social media influencers from Japan.

It was mission accomplished for Swiss watch brand Breitling, whose three teams participated in the race to raise funds for 500 Qhubeka Charity bicycles.

“We have so much respect for the work Qhubeka does.

“They donate bicycles to people whose lives are changed in meaningful ways. A bicycle can take someone to school or work or a clinic – these donations can be, literally, a matter of life or death, and we’re thrilled to be able to use our mission to support Qhubeka’s vision,” said chief executive Georges Kern.

Breitling, in partnership with the non-profit organisation Qhubeka, will fund bicycles for Qhubeka’s learn-to-earn and work-to-earn programmes across South Africa.