Bold Mxenge takes Dispatch Tour crown
Giants guys, so that was the plan and everything just went according to plan,” said Mxenge.
“In the last five kilometres I knew I had to go; we were in the last climb, and that is my advantage, and the guy I was with is a big guy and I knew if it came down to a sprint he would beat me, so I had to make my move and I did and it came off.”
In the women’s race Daily Dispatch Cycle Tour legend Anriette Schoeman cruised to her sixth title in a row and seventh overall.
Despite coming off a recent sickness Schoeman still took the win in a time of two hours and 57 minutes, 21 seconds ahead of the chasing Lauren Coleman, while local talent Elne Owen took a superb third place in a time of 3:09:16.
“It was an incredibly tough race, I wasn’t as strong as I would normally be coming off my flu, and wasn’t as well prepared, so I just had to dig deeper than usual, and am elated to get the win,” said Schoeman.
“I wasn’t sure how my body was going to respond to the racing, so at times I was going at 110%, and I was just relieved to get the win.”
Owen was the only local rider to place in the top three overall in the 102km ride, and displayed the impressive talent she has.
“I am quite happy to take third place; it was a great day out and I really enjoyed the race,” said Owen.
In the 50km race Alex Rossouw was in a league of his own as he powered to a first-place finish in 1:41:56, nine minutes and 52 seconds ahead of Fanie van Biljon, while Trevor Rossouw rounded out the podium after finishing in two hours and six seconds.
On the women’s front Delene Folley took the win in 2:02:23, with Tarryn Lots taking second just under six minutes later, with Hayley Mclaren finishing third.
The 19km race saw Colby Watson, Stephen Salzwedel and Haydon Wood take the three positions on the men’s front, while the top three women in were Carla Hartslief, Teagan Ford and in third, Thembisa Futshane.