Pauls aims for top spot in tour
Good rest rejuvenates champ
LOCAL cyclists will be clicking into high gear tomorrow when the annual NFB Border 1 000 Cycle Tour kicks off in Stutterheim and Macleantown.
Premier East London cyclist Jevandre Pauls will be competing as he continues his recovery from a second career threatening crash in two years.
After he looked to be back to competitive racing following the crash late last year, Paul’s doctor suggested he take some time off and recuperate at home before returning to full blown action.
“I have been back since June because the doctor suggested that I recuperate at home, so it has been good to be home and recovering,” said Pauls.
“I’m trying to rebuild myself and get back to where I was.”
Pauls will be going all out for a top result after he last competed in the race in 2013, finishing third. “I am excited to compete and looking forward to the race on Sunday,” said Pauls.
“I want to do better than I did in 2013 when I came third so I want to come second or first and I am ready to take on the best in East London.”
As always, however, some of Border’s best as well as a few others from around the Eastern Cape will be out in force for the quick, mostly downhill race that usually sees some very quick times posted.
The past two years have seen some exciting photo finishes with group sprints at the end.
Last year the top five cyclists finished in such close proximity to each other they were all awarded the same time with Donovan O’Reilly emerging victorious.
Veteran rider O’Reilly has been in good form over the past few years, finishing as runner-up of the Daily Dispatch Cycle Tour the past two years. He will be a major challenger come race day.
2013 Border 1 000 winner Jason Reid is also in the mix. “The 20km race is basically a test run this year as we want to encourage the youngsters to get involved as they will be the future of the race,” said race organiser and head of Backyard Adventures, Craig Muller.
“In all our main goal is to keep this race going and we are hoping for some exciting action, while we also want this to be a fun event for the whole family.”
This year’s 80km race starts in Stutterheim on the corner of Maclean and Hill Streets, where the riders continue on the N6 towards East London. It will be a neutral zone until out of town.
The cyclists then turn right at the Merrifield circle and continue on the North East Expressway until finishing at the Buffs Club intersection.
The 36km fun ride will start in Macleantown and the 20km from the Python Park on the N6 and both follow the same route as the main race.
The race gets under way at 7:30am and the front runners from the the main 80km race should be expected in from just after 9am on.