A quick and livid KAP sani2c ‘OG’ UCI Prologue performed out over 18.7km of freshly minimize trails in and round Glencairn Farm.
After heading out previous Chep Dam and up Glencairn Hill, groups snaked again by means of the Race Village on the midway mark, creating a lot pleasure among the many ‘OG’ riders gathered at registration.
Farmer Glen Haw has constructed new trails round Glencairn to host this yr’s Prologue after sani2c turned a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Class 2 marathon stage race in 2024.
Males’s race
PYGA Euro Metal’s Philip Buys and Michael Foster claimed the highest step of the rostrum in a time of 00:41:13, narrowly edging out Staff Honeycomb 226ers (Marc Pritzen and Wessel Botha).
Pritzen crossed the road first in 00:40:49 after breaking away, however with Botha ending barely behind, their crew time was recorded as 00:41:16, putting them simply two seconds behind PYGA Euro Metal.
Imbuko ChemChamp A’s Tristan Nortje and Marco Joubert rounded out the highest three in 00:41:17.
Botha stated: “Marc and I had ridden the Prologue route yesterday, so we knew precisely which sections we needed to be forward on. I did take a barely incorrect flip at one level, and Marc pulled away. He simply went for it, and I managed to stay with the bunch. Total, I’m pleased with the outcome.”
Nortje added: “They went laborious on the primary climb, however then utterly sat up on the downhill. I knew the PYGA guys might do these punchy efforts after which again off, so I attempted to maintain the tempo excessive all through. A tough, sustained effort fits us higher. It was all about pacing and thoughts video games immediately.”
Joubert commented: “The route was fairly difficult immediately – over the 20km, there was most likely solely a kilometre the place you would actually cross. Philip and Michael undoubtedly used that to their benefit as XCO riders. However the time gaps are small, and we’re wanting ahead to the longer levels forward – that’s the place we’re sturdy.”
Nortje added: “We didn’t burn too many matches for only a second within the lead. We’re pleased with how we rode immediately, and we’re wanting ahead to the longer days.”
Foster stated: “The Prologue provides a distinct racing dynamic and undoubtedly retains issues attention-grabbing. I wasn’t positive what occurred with Marc and Wessel – whether or not it was a deliberate tactic or not – however I noticed Marc was forward and I simply made positive to get in entrance of Wessel. That’s what makes stage racing thrilling. Phil saved it collectively completely and we nailed the dash.”
Buys is happy with the outcome however is aware of the hassle must be sustained over three lengthy days: “That was quick with excessive depth. Hopefully I’ve received the endurance to match that over the subsequent few days. I feel immediately was a superb trip for us. My major purpose was to be with the lead group over the primary massive climb, after which to get into the singletrack first on the second half, the place I might management the tempo. I eased off a bit, figuring out Michael was behind. He’s received the facility to surge when he must, so I saved a bit for the dash as there are usually not loads of passing alternatives in that second half. Fortunately, I nonetheless had sufficient kick to take it.”
The Insect Science duo of Arno du Toit and Keagan Bontekoning had been simply off the tempo and took fourth, whereas the younger pair Travis Stedman and Johan van Zyl (Staff Toyota Specialised) positioned themselves firmly within the high 5 groups who will battle it out over the subsequent three days.
Ladies’s race
Safari Essence Titan Racing team-mates Bianca Haw and Danielle Du Toit delivered a powerful efficiency to safe victory (00:53:23), although Environment friendly Infiniti Racing’s Samantha Sanders and Sarah Hill had been unfortunate to have taken a incorrect flip and misplaced the lead after Glencairn Climb.
They made their manner again to the lead group and finally claimed second place (00:54:50), passing the Toyota Fortress crew of Cherise Willeit and Ila Stow.
Toyota Fortress had been happy to safe a podium place in a time of 00:55:02.
Sanders stated of their unhealthy luck: “I took a incorrect flip and Sarah adopted my wheel – we misplaced fairly a little bit of time and needed to climb again out of the descent. However we didn’t panic. We simply rode our manner again, and that’s racing – it occurs. We’ve nonetheless received three days to go. As soon as we caught up once more, we managed to cross Cherise and Ila, opening up a small hole, most likely round 20 seconds. Fortunately we didn’t need to dash, as a result of that grass drag to the road is an actual soul-sapper! It was tight racing, however that’s what makes it enjoyable.”
Hill commented on their first race as a crew: “Sam is an outstanding accomplice and he or she paced us so nicely. We’re each technically proficient, we each know sani2c nicely, and we match up properly on the bike. I’m wanting ahead to the subsequent three days.”
Haw joked in regards to the trails in her yard: “They actually need to work on these switchbacks – they’re tremendous tight! However immediately was very cool. Sam and Sarah took a little bit of a incorrect flip – fortunately not too far off – and that’s after we made our transfer and broke away. We knew they’d be coming for us, however that second disrupted their momentum simply sufficient for us to carry the lead.”
After issues that she is probably not race prepared, Du Toit was very happy with immediately’s racing: “Fortunately, my legs felt good. Bianca simply took the reins – I trusted her utterly. She knew precisely what she was doing, so I adopted her wheel, and he or she saved me motivated and the tempo sturdy. It’s actually particular racing together with her on her residence soil. I’m simply glad we received off to a superb begin and hope it carries by means of.”
Willeit and Stow weren’t unchallenged for his or her third place because the Tshenolo Professional Biking Staff of Tania Bugarin Ortiz and Sonica Klopper (00:55:06) rode a powerful race. They made a valiant try within the final stretch to catch third place, however needs to be happy with their efficiency immediately.
The scene is ready for an thrilling three days of racing to observe.
Leaving Glencairn on Thursday, the complete ‘OG’ area will trip 89km to Mackenzie Membership.
sani2c UCI Prologue Outcomes
Males
- PYGA Euro Metal (Philip Buys / Michael Foster) – 00:41:13
- Staff Honeycomb 226ers (Marc Pritzen / Wessel Botha) – 00:41:16
- Imbuko ChemChamp A (Tristan Nortje / Marco Joubert) – 00:41:17
- Insect Science Biking (Arno du Toit / Keagan Bontekoning) – 00:41:38
- Toyota Specialised (Travis Stedman / Johan van Zyl) – 00:41:50
Ladies
- Safari Essence Titan Racing (Bianca Haw / Danielle Du Toit) – 00:53:23
- Environment friendly Infiniti Racing (Samantha Sanders / Sarah Hill) – 00:54:50
- Toyota Fortress (Cherise Willeit / Ila Stow) – 00:55:02
- Tshenolo Professional Biking Staff 1 (Tania Bugarin Ortiz / Sonica Klopper) – 00:55:06
- TEAM EPT RACING (Roxanne Kemp / Janice Fourie) – 00:57:06
Dates
KAP sani2c Journey: 7-9 Might
KAP sani2c ‘OG’: 8-10 Might, with Prologue 7 Might for UCI registered riders
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