Midmar Notts – 28 February 2010

By Iven Scharein

This race is always a favourite for those wanting to test their form for Sani2C and the Argus. The number of participants on Sunday did not disappoint despite the weather looking a little gloomy before and during the early part of the race.

The Mr Price Cycle Club team started in the 30-49 age group even though we would have like to seen a mass start. Right out the Midmar resort the hammer was put down by Werner Moolman and Norvyn Pitout making the racing tough for those who had hoped to get over Happy Hill with the front of the race. On Happy Hill itself, Werner Moolman launched a big effort which saw the field split up and many screaming legs were left shattered along the way.

Norvyn Pitout then followed up an attack in which himself and another rider got away. Further up the road they were caught. Unfortunately soon after that a broken spoke in his rear wheel saw an in-form and disappointed Norvyn end his race. Werner attacked immediately thereafter and took a Bring It On and Fego Coffee rider with him. The bunch was content to let this break go as all the teams / clubs were represented in the break. After a short while Martin Atterbury (Bring It On) felt that he wanted to close the gap despite having a fellow club rider in the break.

As Werner and his accomplices were caught, Emile Fouche launched an attack taking with him Matt Geotsch (Fego Coffee). Emile and Matt drove hard and despite some huge efforts by Martin Atterbury and Sean Merridew, they stayed away. After the turn around Sean Merridew put in a big effort which somehow caused a split in the group and simultaneously catching Emile and Matt. This left a group of 7 just off the front.

Both Werner and Mark Davel decided against chasing the front group down because they were getting no assistance from the bunch. Emile Fouche and I were left to figure out how to make the best of the situation. Despite a very sedate tempo returning to Midmar with only Martin Atterbury trying to get away several times, the lead group stayed away which gave testament to the lack of urgency in the chasing group. Without the presence of our key sprinter, Mark Davel, both Emile and I knew our chances were limited in the final sprint. We tried to launch a few attacks to get a small gap but we knew it was like playing the lotto. The sprint was won by Sean Merridew followed by Rowan Tyler.

Mr Price Cycle Club dominated the podium places across all the age groups. We were happy to see that Clinton Olson (Berg Wheelers) won the Ryan Maullin Memorial Trophy because Berg Wheelers has hosted the event so successfully.