KZN Road Champs - 23 January 2011

On a cold and very wet Sunday 23 January, a small field of male Elite, U23 and Vets 30-39 lined up outside the Van’s hotel in Camperdown for the 2011 edition of the KZN road championships. Mr Price Vets team represented by Andrew Reeves, Mike Viljoen, Bryan Cusack and myself.

The race started at a very sedated pace for the first few kilometers as we all got to grips with the cold and rain.The first break in the group came as we turned left onto the Richmond road at Thornville, with most of the big names present. On one of the climbs toward Richmond the group broke further with a very select few in the leading group. Andrew managed to hang on to the main group, but Bryan and I dropped to the second group. We realized that Bryan had a good medal chance in the 35-39 category with only Brett Berriman from Cyclelab to contend with so we decided to go to plan B and work to protect his chance, as our main competition in the 30-34 category, Fego Coffees, was in the leading group and we had no chance of catching them.

At around 50km into the race we picked up Andrew that dropped off due to the fatigue in his legs from the previous days’ time trial effort. I worked hard in the front, driving the pace while Andrew recovered and we sheltered Bryan. On our second to last lap around the Van’s circuit, Burry Stander came racing past us as he put a lap into our group-he rode extremely well and went on to win the overall title by 3 minutes from Luke Roberts and Richard Baxter. Our race stayed together all the way to line with Andrew leading Bryan out to take a much deserved win in the 35-39 category. Good result for our team (even though that was plan B).

Thanks must go to Mr Price KZN for staging a fantastic weekend of KZN Championships as well as to all the marshals that stood in the pouring rain to protect us while we were riding.

Werner Venter

KZN Lassen Road Series 1

On Sunday 16th of January the first leg of the KZN Lassen Road series took place. This is a new series for Kwazulu Natal Road cycling and consists of eleven road races that would be held throughout the year. The racing format was in criterium style of seven laps for the men and five laps for the ladies of a 10 km circuit, with the start and finish in front of Van Der Merwe’s hotel on the R603 near Camperdown. From there the route was staying on the R603 till the cyclists turned left onto the P418 heading towards Camperdown, turning left on Old Main Road (R103) and staying on it until it bends and join the R603 again.

The men’s race kicked off at 06h00 and from the first lap you could see there was a lot of fire power in the bunch. The most fire power being that of Burry Stander (Spesialised), who won the mens race with a gap of about 20 seconds. James Louter (MTN Club 100) was second and Sean Merredew (Mr Price) was in 3rd overall, with a main bunch of almost 20 strong finishing within 1 second behind them.

After finishing in the main bunch with the men, Cherise Taylor also competed in the woman’s race outsprinting Isabel Moolman (Cyclelab) for the win, with Claire Matthews (Mr Price) in 3rd.

Results Men (70km)

Hot Spot: James Louter
King of the Mountain: Burry Stander
Elite: 1.Burry Stander - Spesialised (01:38:41), 2. James Louter – MTN Club 100 (01:39:00), 3. Trevor Court (01:39:04)
U23: 1. Aston Davies – Marties Cycles (1:39:03), 2. Jonty Tivers – Mr Price (01:39:04), 3. Bradley Stroberg - Cyclelab(01:39:04)
U16: 1. Phillip Kruger – Mr Price (01:39:03), 2. Ryan Felgate – Mr Price (01:39:04), 3. Alan Hatherly (01:47:32)
Juniors: 1. Stefan van Eck – Mr Price (01:39:03), 2. Liam Mooney – Mr Price (01:39:04), 3. Chris Cowan (01:39:05)
Men 30-34: 1. Sean Merredew – Mr Price (01:39:02), 2. Deno van Heerden – Fego (01:39:03), 3. Rowan Taylor – Fego (01:39:03)
Men 30-35: 1. Brett Berriman (01:39:25), 2. Hein Meyer (01:39:25)
Men 40-44: 1. Garth Schonewolf – Bring it On (01:39:03), 2. Werner Moolman – Cyclelab (01:40:33)
Men 45-49: 1. Iven Scharein – Cyclelab (01:39:03), 2. Mike Adey – Cyclelab (01:39:03)
Men 50-54: 1. Trevor Thompson (01:44:45). 2. Flip Krugel – Mr Price (01:44:45)
Men 55-59: 1. Bruno Quevauvilliers – Mr Price (01:51:28), David Douglas (01:58:49)
Men 60+: 1. Derrick Tivers – Mr Price (01:47:52). 2. Dave Corrin (02:06:36)

Results Ladies (50km)

Hot Spot: Isabel Moolman
Queen of the Mountain: Cherise Taylor
Elite: 1. Cherise Taylor – USN (01:28:38), 2. Claire Matthews – Mr Price (01:32:04)
Category wins:
35-39: Isabel Moolman – Cyclelab (01:28:38)
40-44: Sue Folks - Cyclelab (01:32:05)
45-49: Cynthia Ramsey – Mr Price (01:37:27)
50-54: Debbie Mayne – Mr Price (01:44:33)
Junior: Candice Parker-Dennison (01:32:09)
U16: Rochelle van Eck (01:38:26)

Emile Fouche

MTN OFM Classic - 7 November 2010

We were a bunch of round about 85 riders that lined up in the VA batch for the 2010 MTN OFM Classic that was held on 7 November in Bloemfontein. The Mr Price 30+ team was represented by Werner Moolman, Mark Davel, Iven Scharein, Gwyn Pine and me. Other teams present were Fego Cafe (Our rival team from KZN) and Wiehann (a Bloemfontein based team). It was nice to see some familiar faces from the days when I first started cycling three years ago, like Manie Smith (with who I also trained with in my karate days) and Jean Fourie (from Cycle World where I bought my first entry level road bike).

At 6h25 we heard the gun shot and we headed for the left turn into First Street. I wanted to make sure I am close to the front of the bunch at the start of the race as I knew the route like the back of my hand and knew what lay ahead for us in this first 20km. As we turned right into Nelson Mandela I was just about on the front of the bunch with Iven. After turning left into West Burger Werner told me to hang back a bit as he wanted me to be able to react if someone tried to put in an attack on these first two hills that were just around the corner. A Wiehann rider was leading us over the first hill going passed “Oranje Meisies Skool” (This name just does not sound the same in English). We turned left down into Happy Valley and then right into Albrecht Street, which is a short steep climb. I crested the top first with the bunch on my back wheel. Our whole team stayed near the front most of the time. Turning left into Generaal Hertzog Werner went off the front with another cyclist (I think Paul van den Heuvel from Cyclelab) on his wheel. From there the route took us to a right turn into Jan van Riebeeck, right into Generaal dan Pienaar and then left into Lucas Steyn which was the last steep hill for the day.

The VA bunch was split when we reached the top of Lucas Steyn with a select group of 30 cyclists in this front group, now the leading bunch. Lucas Steyn extended into Frans Kleynhans Rd. The road changed direction into a crosswind and Werner rolled to the front, taking us to the right hand lane, guttering the bunch. I decided to roll through to help Werner out a bit, but momentum allowed me to roll off the front and I found myself opening a gap on the bunch so I went on a flyer. The route took us left into Kenilworth Rd and then left on to the R64 (Dealesville Road). I was hoping for another cyclist to cross over to me in this time but no one did. The bunch was closing the gap on me and on the small climb going past Langenhoven Park towards the N1 I needed a breather. Rowan Tyler (Fego) seized the opportunity and attacked the bunch on this climb, overtaking me and Turning left onto the N1 North, I could not react. The bunch caught up with me and we got on the N1 together. I rolled up next to Jean (Wiehann) and told him that Rowan is a strong boy and that they (his team) might want to put on a chase. Werner and Gwyn rolled towards the front. A Cyclelab rider attacked the bunch to cross over to Rowan. Werner looked at me to react, but I couldn’t and then Gwyn went with a couple of riders following him. The bunch closed in on Gwyn’s group and then the chase was on to catch Rowan and the Cyclelab guy. Mr Price contributed to the chase with a couple of other riders and we caught the two riders going up the drag near the Engen one stop.

From there all the way to the Glen off-ramp the bunch pretty much stayed together. We went left on to the off-ramp, turned right and right again to get on the N1 South on-ramp. The bunch stuck together as we turned left into Andries Pretorius. Mark put in an attack but was rolled in before we reached the circle where we turn left into Rudolph Greyling. Werner told me he was going to put in an attack sometime and when he gets caught I must go. The bunch had an idea of its own though and the wind played a huge factor in this race. We turned left onto the N8 heading towards Thaba Nchu. Werner tried to get off the front before he turned left into Dreyer Ave but the bunch would not let him go. Jean Fourie (Wiehann) put in an attack before the turnoff as well but all was together as we turned left straight into a headwind. I was definitely too far at the back of the bunch now as my team was close to the front and it was just one long line of cyclists trying to survive. I slowly worked my way forward and by the time we turned left onto the Maselspoort road Werner set me up perfectly to put in an attack and I did. This was the perfect place for me as I would be off the front of the bunch passing my parents house and was looking forward to see them cheering me on, but to my disappointment they weren’t there! Later I found out they left too early to go to the finish, which they also missed.

Another rider caught up with me and gave me a breather. We rolled a little bit but the bunch was on us as we were heading for the airport. Iven was leading the bunch turning left at the circle all the way till we turned right, back onto the N8 heading back towards the finish. There was a cross wind from the right and we stayed on the left of the road guttering the bunch. Werner rolled through and we started working. Paul and another cyclist went to the front and eventually the whole bunch was riding gutter until we turned left into Nelson Mandela Dr. Werner told me to go on that small kick on the left turn and I tried, but my legs wouldn’t let me do a decent effort so Iven pushed the pace going up there. The pace was fast heading towards First Street and Werner put in an attack going around the corner. The bunch was together turning right into At Horak and to get a result was up to Mark now as he is our sprinter. Unfortunately for Mr Price Deno van Heerden (Fego) pipped Mark on the line with Paul van den Heuvel (Cyclelab) in third.

It was an awesome well organised race and we worked hard as a team to get a result. Our hard work paid off thanks to Mark for getting a 2nd on the podium.

Emile Fouche

Jacaranda Satellite Classic 2010

It was a huge batch of 83 VA riders lining up on the start line of the Jacaranda Satellite Classic on Saturday morning the 23rd of October. The Mr Price KZN Vets team was represented by Werner Moolman, Mark Davel, Iven Scharein, Norvyn Pitout and me.

The start at Pelindaba was quite tricky. We had a couple of hundred meters of neutral zone towards a T-intersection and turning left we had to be very careful not to hit cyclists or the cars of cyclists who is starting in the later batches. I was lucky enough (or unlucky enough) to find myself quite near to the front of the bunch early in the race and could easily respond to the first attack. I managed to find myself in a small break with Johan Joubert from MTN, one or two Cyclelab guys and another couple of other riders. We all rolled through but were caught by the bunch a couple of km further. Another move went that was brought back almost immediately and then Pieter Calitz from Cyclelab rode off the front while the bunch watched him go. I was sitting on the front not exactly sure where my team mates were when a Blackrock rider attacked the bunch crossing over to Pieter. Nobody else was responding and that was my signal to follow the third move of the morning.

I do not know what the rider from Blackrock’s name was but he was definitely the stronger of us three pushing the pace hard. The route took us to the Dam’s edge, over the Dam and left towards Van Gaalens. Then towards Magalies and after that to the base of Hekpoort hill. We were rolling through just about all the time, except for on some sections, where the Blackrock rider was pushing so hard that I decided that it would be suicide to do anything but sit his wheel until he slowed down enough for one of us to roll through.

After being in the break for 50 to 60 km we were caught at the top of Hekpoort by a chasing bunch and I was very happy to see both Werner and Norvyn in the mix. I managed to hang on for a little while but got dropped at Skeerpoort. A bunch with Mark caught up with me but I was spent. A couple of kilometres further I also got dropped from this group and I started to solo home until Iven caught up with me and I could sit his wheel back to Pelindaba.

The chasing bunch with Mark caught up with Werner’s front bunch. Werner was keeping an eagle’s eye on Jac Louis van Wyk (Blackrock), but let his attention drift to elsewhere in the bunch for a small instant. Unfortunately it was right at that instant when a move happened and Jac Louis got away with Julius Cobbett (TCS) and Paulo Contente. Jac Louis won the race with Julius in 2nd and Paulo in 3rd.

Emile Fouche

MTN Amashova 2010

It was the 17th of October and the event most, if not all, Kwazulu-Natal based cyclists had been training for was here. Amashova is pretty much the “Argus” of Kwazulu-Natal although it only attracts about a 5th of the amount of entrants from all over the country. The Mr Price KZN Vets team was represented by Werner Moolman, Mark Davel, Norvyn Pitout, Gwyn Pine, Iven Scharein and me (Emile Fouche). Some of the other teams present were Fego Cafe and Team Computer Smith.

After a week of rainy days the weather gods played along perfectly and allowed us to have a dry start when the gun was sounded for the 52 cyclists in the VA group to leave start the pins at 7h00am in the morning. For weeks we have either been dreading, or anticipating Fox Hill as that is the place where the bunch would be split up. As we started ascending on Fox Hill Mark had a mechanical and had to pull out of the race. He was only too happy that the mechanical was near the bottom of the hill and not after he went over the top. As we were climbing the hill there were a whole lot of attacks from especially Jaco Ferreira and Julius Cobbett from TCS but all of those attacks were covered.

At the top of Fox hill we still had four team members in the bunch as Werner, Gwyn, Norvyn and me managed to get over. From the Thornville road to the bottom of Inchanga it was hard racing with attack after attack happening but they were all pulled back. Werner got into a move going up Inchanga and Gwyn, Norvyn and me just had to follow the wheels of the riders trying to catch them. It was mostly together again at the bottom of Alverstone and going up the hill I rolled to the front to try and control the pace with Deno van Heerden from Fego Cafe. Unfortunately we lost Norvyn and Gwyn on that hill but Werner and I were still left with the front bunch.

Going down Botha’s Hill and into Cassier Road Werner managed to get a gap on the bunch with one of the TCS riders but they were pulled back by the time we reached the M13. From Cassier road to 45th cutting there was some hard racing taking place with one or two attacks almost getting away but then being pulled back by Werner, me and some other riders rotating to share the workload. Going passed Pinetown and through Westville Werner told me just to keep rotating with Matt Goetsch and Rowan Tyler from Fego Cafe to keep the tempo going and try to prevent Jaco and Julius from attacking. As we were nearing 45th cutting Werner told me to watch Julius but as we hit the bump going towards Tollgate bridge my legs exploded like the Christmas fireworks show in Welkom and I got dropped from the bunch, leaving Werner to fend for himself. Sean Merredew made a huge comeback overtaking me on Tollgate bridge and riding himself back to the bunch just before it was time for the sprint.

Sean Merredew (Mr Price Club member) won the sprint with Jaco Ferreira (TCS) in second and Carl Lotter (Northcliff cycles) in third. Werner finished in 6th position and I had a solo ride to the finish in 12th postion. Iven, Gwyn and Norvyn crossed the finish line in the next bunch.

Even though we did not feature on the podium, it was good hard racing by the whole team.

Time Freight Midmar Notts – 10 October 2010

It is that time of year again where everyone cycling in KZN wants to test their legs for the upcoming Amashova race. It was a very misty morning and the start of the race was delayed by 15 minutes, waiting for the mist to clear up and safe racing conditions.

The 30 to 39 age category and the 40 to 49 age category started together. It was a huge bunch of almost 180 cyclists (according to Mr Price Timing) heading out of the gate of the Midmar dam resort when we got the go ahead to start the race at 7h30 am. The Mr Price Vets team was represented by Werner Moolman, Gwyn Pine, Iven Scharein, Mark Davel, Norvyn Pitout and me. I learned my lesson from February about starting at the back of the bunch in this race and Mat Goetsch (Fego Cafe) and I led the bunch out of the gates. Nothing too exciting, aside from the odd joke and fake attack, was happening until we reached the foot of Happy Hill. Justin Short went to the front with me on his wheel and the pace went up quite a couple of notches. About half way up the hill I rolled through and pulled the bunch at what I thought was quite a pace, when Rowan Tyler (Fego Cafe) attacked. I was very happy that Werner followed the attack as I just did not have it in me to follow at that stage. It was still early in the race and I was thinking by myself that I was in trouble.

We watched the two cyclists riding away as the road started flattening out after Happy Hill. With the two stronger teams of the day each having someone in the break it was not up to Mr Price or Fego Cafe to pull the bunch and put on a chase. There were a couple of flyers attempting to get away from the bunch to cross over to the break, but they were all chased down. The cyclists from Bring it On cycling club were sitting at the front, pulling the bunch, with Martin Atterbury doing most of the work.

One or two times a small group of riders did get away and opened a gap on the bunch but they were all closed down until Deno van Heerden (Fego Cafe) and Andrew Reeves (Bring it On) got away on Mount West. The pace up Mount West caused a couple of cyclists to drop from the bunch before the 40km Turn-around point.

On the way back from the turn-around the pace was extremely fast, especially after Nottingham Road where the tar turned from rough to smooth again. The wind was having its way with us and I was actually glad that I was not racing with deep section wheels. Both Deno and Andrew were eventually caught and 5km from the finish the guys with sprinting legs positioned themselves close to the front of the bunch for that last corner into Midmar Dam Resort.

Andrew Reeves (Bring it On) outsprinted the bunch for 3rd place after Werner took the win from Rowan in a two man sprint finish. Mark finished in 4th with Deno in 5th.

The Mr Price team rode well together and I think we can look forward to a fantastic Amashova coming up on Sunday the 17th of October.

Emile Fouche

Campus to Campus 26 September 2010

When we lined up for the start of the VA batch at the Campus to Campus, it was at least a little bit of a bigger bunch than we had the previous day at the Harties challenge. Werner Moolman, Gwyn Pine and me represented the Mr Price team. Some of the other of the more familiar riders present were Gary Rabie (MTN), Johan Joubert (MTN) and Carl Lotter (Northcliff Cycles).

Our plan as discussed before the race was for Werner to go with the first break. If they got pulled back I was supposed to go with the second break and Gwyn would have gone with the third break if we got pulled back. If it was going to be a bunch finish the plan was that Gwyn and I made it as hard as possible on the front to try and give Werner a proper lead out.

The race started fairly subtle with a rider taking a flyer every now and then, but all got pulled back. In the 5km to 10km mark we got to a bit of an uphill drag and another one of these flyers happened. The next moment Werner went to catch up with the lone rider out front, but the guy was not keen to sit Werner’s wheel as he went passed him. Gary Rabie crossed over to Werner and that is where the first break of the day happened. Gwyn and I just hung back on the front of the bunch and everyone else watched as the two riders rode away. Both the Mr Price and MTN team were represented, so it was up to the individuals to put on the chase.

The racing in the bunch was very negative as no one put in a real effort to chase the break down. Gwyn told me that he is thinking about trying to cross over to Werner and Gary, but I told him I’m concerned about pulling the bunch back to them. On one of the kicks before we reached the “big” climb of the day which was on round about the 50km mark, Gwyn did put in an attack and took another rider, Willie Liebenberg with him. A TCS and a MTN rider tried to cross over to them but the bunch pulled those two riders back in on the “big” climb.

I stayed near the front of the bunch for the whole race and although I was just sitting in the bunch I could feel I was taking a bit of strain, I think the previous day’s effort in the Harties challenge took a bit out of me. It just shows what a quality cyclist Werner is to be in the break day after day.

Gwyn and Willie caught up with Werner and Gary and the four of them raced to the finish. Werner put Gwyn’s diesel engine on the front a lot of the time.
Gary Rabie (MTN) won the sprint with Werner in 2nd, Willie Liebenberg in 3rd and Gwyn in 4th. I did not content the sprint for an apple and had a bunch finish about 3 minutes behind the break.

Well done to Myles Musschenbroek who won the junior category, making it a back to back win as he also won the Harties challenge the previous day.

It was a good weekend in the office with awesome results from the Mr Price KZN team.

Emile Fouche