November 20, 2006
By Lucky Sindane and Ndaba Dlamini
IT was a nail-biting finish in the elite men's category during the tenth Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, which took to the streets of Joburg on a rainy Sunday.
Yesterday's pouring rain failed to dampen the spirits of 28 000 passionate cyclists who took part in the event. Slovakian cyclist Martin Velits (21), who rides for Konica Minolta, pulled off a stunning performance to win the 180km elite men's event in two hours and 18 minutes, pocketing the R18 500 in prize money.
"I had a very good race and the weather was perfect for me," Velits said. "I knew I had to save myself for the last few metres of the race and I put in some effort when I could see the finish line. Last week I went around the route to familiarise myself and this paid off very well."
He kept an eye on former Tour of Spain king of the mountains Felix "The Cat" Cardenas. "I thought he was going to be hard to beat. In the end it worked out well for me as I went at exactly the right time," Velits added.
Second place went to South African under-23 time trial champion Hanco Kachelhoffer, who is with the Excel team. Cardenas, who rides with the Barloworld team, came third.
In the women's category, Yolandi du Toit, Velits' girlfriend and also a member of the Konica Minolta team, was the first to cross the finish line in two hours, 48 minutes and 15 seconds. She pocketed R13 000 in prize money.
"I spent the last six months training in Europe for this particular race," she said. "I put the experience I gained there to good use. For the best part of the race I was cycling alone way ahead of other women cyclists because I did not want the race to end in a sprint, as that could have been to my disadvantage.
"I struggled in the last five kilometres but it all came good in the end. This win is the biggest of my career. My victory is good for women's cycling in South Africa."
Du Toit was followed by Proline teammates Marrissa van der Merwe and Anriette Schoeman, respectively.
"We saw her go but didn't know how quickly the gap went out," Van der Merwe said of the winner. "She put in a good attack and nobody chased her. She rode well and she deserves it. She has worked very hard throughout the year without getting many results.
"Proline decided today that we weren't going to do the work, because we always end up doing it, so we decided to sit back and watch what happens. Of course, we would have liked to win, but we're satisfied with second and third," she said.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge have extended their condolences to the Jordaan family after the death of cyclist Hennie Jordaan during the event. Jordaan suffered a heart attack at 7.45am.
Ravi Naidoo, the 94.7 Highveld Stereo station manager, said, "We are sad to hear of the death of Mr Jordaan. 94.7 and Pick 'n Pay have created a big cycling family over the years that we have staged the event. It shocks us to lose one of our valued members. We extend our sympathies to his family and wish them strength during this time."
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