Climb sorts men from boys in cycle champs
THE East Cape Road Cycling Championships over 94.5km started in near perfect conditions on the Seaview Road at Grassroof.
The veteran, elite, U23, elite women and U17 riders started together.
The three-lap race was over a very tough circuit going over the Lake Farm climb.
The top guns made their move on the Lake Farm climb, 8km into the race.
Only Anriette Schoeman (Africa Silks Bestmed) and Siska van der Bijl managed to stay with the top men over the summit while Lauren Coleman was left behind.
It was clear after lap one that the race would be very tight.
The leading peloton consisted of 24 riders after Van der Bijl was left behind on the second lap with some men as attacks were launched up the 3km Lake Farm climb.
On the last lap, several breakaway attempts were neutralised and tempers flared as the cyclists realised the new East Cape champion title would go to the best sprinter on the day.
The sprint attacks started 2km from the finish as riders tried to get away from the pure sprinters. The last 500m to the finish was hectic, with riders trying to get the best position in the bunch for the sprint.
Two riders went down very hard. Schoeman just missed the crash, sprinting among the men.
Christiaan van Aard (NMMU Bestmed) got it right to take the sprint finish in first overall and winning the U23 title.
Kyle Bradford (NMMU Bestmed) took the Elite title. Schoeman won the women’s race and Elite title. Van der Bijl finished second and Coleman third in the women’s race.