On the morning of the 6th of November 2011 we lined up for the start of the 2011 version of the MTN OFM Classic. Our team was represented by Andrew Reeves, Werner Venter, Bryan Cusack and me. The other teams we knew we had to keep an eye on were Cylce Nation, Fego and a very well represented MTN Club 100 Team.
Five minutes behind the Pro’s and Elites our start gun sounded and the VA batch rolled down Nelson Mandela Avenue towards the right hand turn into Markgraaf Street. The attacks started early with us trying to cover as much as we can. The route took us through a bit of a Tour de Suburbs through Pellisier, Fichardt Park and Universitas before we turned right onto the N1 North. Amashova winner, Jeremy Maartins, was ahead in a solo break and we knew we would have to work to get him back. As Jeremy was a MTN rider we had help from Cycle Nation and Fego. An acceleration from the bunch eventually reigned him in but it was not long before another attempt went and we missed it again.
A strong break represented by Cycle Nation, MTN and Fego went of the front and we knew our work for the next lot of kilometres were going to be cut out for us. A couple of the names of the riders in the break were Craig Harvey, Julius Cobbett (both Cycle Nation), Rowan Tyler (Fego) and Jeremy Maatens (MTN). It was up to me, Werner and Bryan to lead the chase. The MTN team were doing a good job at blocking riders from rolling through. The route turned back onto N1 South and Sunning Hill and then left on Andries Pretorius. We were working our butts off. Every now and then some individual riders would make suicidal attempts trying to bridge the gap instead of helping us with the chase. I couldn’t help myself having a word or two with one of these particular riders. It was only once we turned left onto Rudolph Greyling road where the chase got momentum and we also received a lot of help from some individuals and our PE allies, Donovan O’Reilly and Awie Jacobs. On the N8 towards Lesotho we gained a lot of distance on the break and just when we were about to turn left on De la Rey road, Andrew attacked the bunch, crossing over to the break which now split. The break was reigned in but the bunch made a fatal error not continuing with its momentum as Julius and Jeremy was still ahead and gaining distance on the bunch again.
Yet again the chase was on. As we neared the first kick I could feel I was starting to get in trouble. Team mate Bryan Cusack was setting the pace on the hills and probably knowingly getting me dropped. I managed to stay in touch over the hill in Albrecht Street but when we reached the Lucas Steyn climb I just could not keep contact and had to watch the bunch go.
Meanwhile in the bunch Werner and Bryan were working like demons. The break was caught and it was going to end in a sprint finish.
The sprint was on! Unlucky for us Andrew suffered some mechanical issues with his chain as it started skipping and he could not risk standing. James Louter (MTN) won the sprint followed by Craig Harvey (Cycle Nation), Julius Cobbett (Cycle Nation), Dylan Joseph (Fego) and our team mate Andrew Reeves (Mr Price), finishing off the prize money positions. Bryan and Werner finished in the bunch with Bryan getting a top ten position.
This year’s OFM was a challenging route and hopefully the organisers keep it this way for a few years to come. Afterwards we went to prize giving to enjoy the live Afrikaans music and beer drinking vibe.
Well done to the MTN OFM Classic organisers for hosting a great event.
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