The 3rd Lassen Race - 27 March 2011:

The morning started with a minutes' silence in respect of the passing of Michael Ramsey, while the weather was looking like it could clear up.


The roads were wet and the racing hot with Martin Atterbury doing his usual 1st lap attack, ending in the grass on the S bend at Vans'.


The circuit was great as usual with the 'crowds' shouting at every pass, especially at the line.


There were a few new faces that we didn't know and had to worry about as well as Martys group growing every race, but we would learn that no1 was going to hurt us like stronger Stander did in series 1.


Our team was missing a few members with Bryan Cusack taking his sick leave again at the Lassen (I'm wondering if some1 doesn't like this circuit), Julian Cox being upgraded to Com for the day and Leon (bigblade)Grobler hurting the lighties and ladies.


After numerous unsuccessful attacks came back, we were fortunate to have Emile Fouche away (with Mad Moolman). This gave Werner Venter, Mikel Viljoen, Andrew Reeves and Sean Merredew a chance to properly rest and watch the others chase. The break was almost brought back quickly when Rowan Tyler did a strong pull after resting for a lap at the line but someone quickly reminded him that you can't get a lap of grace on a 7km circuit (Good Tactic).


Sadly Emile Fouche didn't have a good day and came back to the group which forced Mike Viljoen and Sean Merredew to seriously conserve energy at the back with Andrew Reeves joining us occasionally to discuss our finish strategy.


With a lap to go we realized we will be having a bunch sprint which we had prepared for, with Andrew Reeves and Sean Merredew being well placed upfront, We also had a cousin in the form of Rourke Croeser who races for Mr Price Cannondale willing to assist in the leadout which went off perfectly, with us getting the win overall and a 3rd in our cat too with the rest in the group, except Emile who after he gained such tv time down in the cape, opted to do another solo entrance into the finish.


A great day was had under the Mr Price tents while watching the other race of the morning, unfortunately they weren't as lucky and had rain throughout their race, was good to see our Mr Price team dominate that race too, ride of the day has to go to Ryan who was determined to get away.


Thanks to Mr & Mrs Price, officials, marshals and the province for another super race on a circuit that always produces good hard racing.


Sean Merredew

Cape Argus Cycle Tour 2011 – 13 March 2011

As we do every year, we have entered for the 2011 Cape Argus Cycle Tour when entries opened in September 2010, before all the changes to the licensed bunches took place and we started racing with the Pro’s and Elites in Category 1. Argus is usually not a budgeted team race and for our own cost, so only Werner Venter and I entered. When we received our first seedings we were happy that we both were seeded VA. The race was on. But then, we got the chance of a lifetime. Due to Andrew Reeves’ results in the Cat 1 races we have done so far this year, our team was seeded under the first twelve top club teams in the country and we received an invitation to race in the Invitational bunch with the Pro’s and more of the best top class cyclists this country and some others, has to offer. Usually the Argus was part of the Giro del Capo Tour and the invitational bunch would only leave after the Giro group, but this year it was different as there was no Giro del Capo Tour. We could not let the opportunity slip out of our hands to start and race in the first batch in the biggest timed race in the world.

On Sunday morning we lined up in the start pins with all the big guns in SA Cycling present. The Mr Price KZN Vets team was represented by Bryan Cusack, Werner Venter and me. This was my third Argus and the first one where the trees were not bent at 90 degree angles next to the road. The previous two years the “Kaapse Doctor” showed us no mercy. Helen Zille gave us a good luck speech and soon afterwards they counted down for our 6h15 start.

From the word go the bunch was speeding along at a blistering pace. It was hard not to find yourself holding on near the back of the bunch most of the time, which is a dangerous place to be. Going up Edinburg drive tested the legs quite a bit. Bryan and I went over with the bunch, while Werner used the convoy to join the bunch again. We were all still there. We headed towards Muizenberg and then to the dreaded Boyes drive, another leg tester. Going down Boyes drive was fast and the dangerous “Neutral Zone” at the bottom of Boyes is definitely not a “Neutral Zone” for the front bunch and a split happened after which we had to chase hard. Bryan managed to make the cut with me but we lost Werner on the Boyes drive section. Towards Smitswinkel I heard my name, I knew it was Bryan but I did not exactly know why till later when I was looking for him in the bunch. Bryan punctured and up to that point he was riding as if he was a contender for the win.

I got over Smitswinkel with the bunch and managed to hang on through Misty Cliffs. When we reached Noordhoek I knew I had to be closer to the front as we were nearing Chapman’s peak, but I couldn’t get there. I was in a bad place. Going up Chapmans peak it was one long stretch of cyclists and the elastic shattered. Going down we got a few guys together but the guys who lasted for a chase with me were Neville Cragg, Jacques Maritz and Brandon Christians. I think Neville was wearing the RSA WEB kit and he was as strong as an ox taking long pulls on front. There was a bunch just ahead of us and we nearly caught them going up Suikerbossie, but we did not. We went passed Egon Campbell from Matlosana heading towards the finish at Greenpoint. The three guys in my group upped the pace but my legs were shot and I could not hang on. I went over the finish line on my own in a time of 2h38.21, 6min11sec behind Tyler Day (Bonitas) who won the race. Bryan finished in 2h55.52 and Werner in 2h59.00.

This year’s cycling tour also saw the closing of an era as a local cycling hero, Malcolm Lange (Finished 2nd) from team Bonitas retired.

Huge thanks to Corinne Du Sart and Michelle Mathews for giving up their morning to be our team managers and drive the backup vehicle during the race.

Emile Fouche

MIDMAR-NOTTS RYAN MAULIN - 27 February 2011

Sunday morning saw the complete Mr Price vets team make the trip to Midmar Dam for the increasingly popular Midmar-Notts race. It was our first race of the season as an entire team with every rider present, and everyone seemed to be in reasonable to good form.
There has been a lot of concern recently with regards to the safety of cyclists and this was foremost on the organizers minds. The route, being an alternative route to the main Johannesburg/Durban freeway can become quite congested. A brief discussion was held before the event and the cyclists were given strict safety instructions. A minutes silence was then held for recent cycling fatalities. After this the last few formalities were taken care of and then the all-clear was given for racing.

The tandems departed, and ten minutes later we were sent on our way. Immediately Andrew Reeves (Mr Price) went on the attack. He opened up a 200m gap to the bunch and was riding a nice tempo. The bunch was fairly non-responsive at this time, and we just rolled along at a reasonable pace. As we hit the start of the hills proper (adjacent to the coffee-shop) the pace went up. Andrew was pulled back into the group, and the pace stayed high.

We reached Happy Hill (not a place of happiness for everyone) and the pace went up again. The first major split happened quickly, with a large group of riders going out the back door. The pace stayed high all the way to Nottingham Road with few lulls. A few attacks followed and then one big push from Emile Fouche (Mr Price). With such a large group they were all pulled back quickly though.

As we turned out of Nottingham Road and hit the first of three hills before the turnaround the pace went up again. Emile Fouche (Mr Price) was at the front setting the pace. Another bunch of riders found the going too tough, and the group was whittled down further. The second hill was taken at a similar pace, but then the pace increased again on the final hill. Werner Venter (Mr Price) was pulling near the front and looked to be in good form. I rolled through towards the front with Werner to position myself for a front row seat on the turnaround. More riders saw the back door here, and then the rush for the turnaround was on.

The halfway point saw everybody turned around safely, but as is customary the group had surged at the turnaround and were now going full-tilt back to Midmar. The pace was extremely high and being driven from the front. The pace settled a bit after we passed Nottingham Road, and then just after Granny Mouse’s we had the first big attack of the day. Deno Van Heerden (Fego café) and Clint Olsen (Cyclelab PMB) tried to make a break for it, but after some good teamwork at the front they were soon pulled back.

Mike Viljoen went on a solo effort soon afterwards, but unfortunately the depth and strength of the group saw him caught as well. We were now within 5km of the finish line and everyone seemed to be preparing for the inevitable sprint. During this lull, about 3km out, a Cyclelab rider (Mike Adey) managed to slip off the front. Emile Fouche rolled up to me and asked me if it was our rider who was away. In the mass of red kit it was hard to tell, and only after reviewing helmets did we realize that it was a Cyclelab rider. The pace was still high and we were bearing down on him quickly. As it turned out it wasn’t quick enough.


Coming through for the sprint Mike Viljoen was lead-out man for Andrew Reeves who went on to take 1st place in the 30-39 cat, with Sean Merredew taking a deserved 3rd place in the 30-39 cat also.

This was the fourth weekend in a row on the podium for the team.


Afterwards it was back to the hospitality of Corinne and Kelvin at the Mr Price tent where everyone got stuck into post-race snacks before being treated to dinner with the Mr Price club members and their families.

A well organized event, in great weather, with 2 podium places, and lunch with friends and family afterwards …………..……. Good times !!






Bryan Cusack

WATERSIDE WIMPY CYCLE CHALLENGE - 20 February 2011

Saturday evening saw the Mr Price vets team make the trip to the north west corner of KZN. Once used as a popular stop over for wagons in the 1800s, Newcastle was soon to be invaded by a breed of wheels and testosterone very different to that of the late 1800's. In this century – the wagons are carbon , the engines are legs and the drivers are well...... lets just say lycra wasn’t made in khaki.

After a seemingly long drive we (Andrew, Mike and Werner) arrived at the Newcastle Inn . Emile and Bryan had driven up earlier in the day and were already digesting dinner by the time we arrived . Somehow we managed (not sure how...) to convince Emile to join us for a late beer while we ate our dinner at the local Spur. During dinner team tactics were discussed and multiple plans were made for the 80km route the following day. The start : Waterside Wimpy. The Route : an undulating cruise through the countryside of Newcastle.

The best laid plans are always flawed..........

Newly attired in our new kit (better late than never), we hit the road at 5am the following morning on our warm up to the start. The weather was perfect for a days racing and what was to turn into a superbly organised and attended race. Like i said - all plans are always flawed. It started on a hill, we turned the corner up a hill and finished up a hill. Luckily we were in our own territory and not in Jhb participating in a Nascar type bike race with just as many bone braking crashes.

The first few kilometres were as per usual - the odd attack and nervous chase. This was soon destroyed by an almost vertical climb 20km into the race. We weren’t sure how hard the hill was, so we sent Werner up the road just before the climb to scare the bunch. It almost worked but ended up blasting the bunch into pieces courtesy of tempo chase from Werner Moolman of Cyclelab Durban. A few unsuccessful brakes went away shortly after but the brake of the day went at 30km when Emile countered a move from Werner Moolman and shot up the road. Rowan Tyler(Fego) and Mike Adey(Cyclelab PMB) gave chase and made it across to make it a 3 man battle at the head of the race. Now that the break was represented , the bunch settled into a reasonable pace until the next steep climb split it even further, leaving about 12 in the follow group. Making it into the second split, Mike and Andrew were locked into protecting the lead that Emile had created. Luckily we did not have to do too much as we had a man up the road.

The calm did not last long after the turn as the chasing 3rd bunch managed to bring us back as close as 13 seconds just before the turn back onto the main road - 15km from the finish. This information sent our bunch into a frenzy of attacks from Cyclelab and Fego. Luckily Emiles break had a maximum of 2m26 by the main road so the fight now was for 4th . The attacks also gave another minute to the third bunch which by this stage was starting to hurt.

As discovered in the morning, the finish was preceded by a rather long and hard climb. The final attack came from one of the Mr Price juniors that had made the split. This blew everything to pieces. Mike popped first followed closely by Andrew, leaving the final positions to be fought out by Cyclelab , Fego and the Mr Price juniors.

At the finish line we discovered that Emile had snatched a third after being away in the break for most of the day. Rowan Tyler put in a massive attack on the second to last bump and managed to hold off a charging Mike Adey for the win.

So for the third weekend in a row we were on the podium. Not bad for a bunch of thirties with day jobs.

Thanks to the team management and support for the well organised trip.

Mike Viljoen

Introducing the Mr Price KZN Vets 30+ team for 2011

This is a very, very late Introduction to the members of the Mr Price KZN Vets 30+ team for 2011.

The members from left to right in the picture above is: Andrew Reeves, Bryan Cusack, Emile Fouché, Werner Venter and Mike Viljoen. Absent from the picture above is: Sean Merredew (In the Picture Below)

Dischem Ride for Sight - 13 February 2011

The Mr Price vets team competed in the ride for sight race on 13th Febuary in Johannesburg. The riders were Emile Fouche, Sean Merredew, Andrew Reeves, Werner Venter and Michael Viljoen.

The conditions were good for racing with clear skies and little wind, and with a flat to rolling course, the race was fast. The Category 1 bunch started quickly and repeated attacks from most of the teams kept the pace high. A few small moves rode clear of the bunch but without the right mix of riders they all came back quickly. The bunch was large and twitchy and numerous crashes occurred, luckily none of our team crashed.

After 40kms a break of four riders got away and held a 30 second gap. They stayed away until the hills around the Suikerbossie area where the bunch reeled them in. More attacks ensued and a group of 5 riders rode clear, at speeds well over 50km/h. The group had three MTN Quebeka riders (Christoph Van Heerden, Daryl Impey, Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg), one DCM rider (Ian Mcleod) and one Bonitas rider (Waylon Woolcock).

The MTN pair of Impey and Van Rensburg gave it their all for their teammate Van Heerden, knowing he packed the best sprint in the group. Their hard work paid off and Christoph Van Heerden defended his title from last year winning the small group sprint in a time of 2:29:37; 8 minutes faster than last years winning time.

The tricky and twisty bunch sprint was won 2 minutes later by Arran Brown, followed by Jacques Fullard and Herman Fouche.

The Vets category was won by Jacques Fullard with Robert Quinn second and Andrew Reeves of Mr Price third.

The vets team rode well and Emile, Sean, Andrew and Mike finished in the front bunch with the same time, Werner came in a few minutes later.


Our team manager Julian followed the race with spare wheels for us but luckily none of us needed them.

By Andrew Reeves

The New Fast One – 2011

Early on Sunday the 30th of January we arrived at the Midvaal Race Track in Meyerton to compete in The New Fast One, which would also be our first Cat 1 race for the year. The Mr Price Vets Top Club team was represented by Werner Venter, Mike Viljoen, Andrew Reeves and I. I was nervous for this race as I quite enjoyed my 2010 year in the very well behaved VA batch. The thought of coming back to a bunch where it seems that you are racing between a bunch of hundred or so taxi drivers scared the crap out of me.

At 6h00 the Cat 1 race started and we were on the road with 24 other Top Club teams ranging from the professional teams like Bonitas (Previously Medscheme) to junior teams. I found that when racing in a huge bunch like this you cannot afford not to concentrate at all times, as everyone fights to get as close to the front as they can and there is movement in the bunch all the time. Returning from a seven day break off the bike and only four days of riding after that, I could not help but take a back seat in the race, as I found my intensity levels were down the drain. The whole bunch pretty much stayed together until we reach the 50km mark on the R42 where a huge crash happened, which probably split the bunch in about half. Lucky for me I was just able to avoid it, unfortunately Werner was caught up behind it and he had his own race from there. From there we turned left on to the R551 and then right into the R557 (Karee Kloof road). We went through Daleside village, turned left into Henley Drive and then right into Blougras Street. In about 5km we were out of the Henley village. Mike and I were guarding the back going through this corners section and it cost us dearly. Mike popped off and then I popped off on the corner where we turned left onto the R551. I just could not manage to sit a wheel to get back to the main bunch. I was gutted to see the bunch ride away and did the last couple of kilometres on my own to the finish. If I had been five positions forward in the bunch, I would have been there!

Andrew had an amazing ride and was positioned nicely near the front of the bunch throughout the whole race. Heading to the sprint finish he got on Jacques Fullard’s (Blackrock) wheel, but Jacques’ kick was just too much. It was the right wheel to try and sit though and that tactic pulled Andrew into 10th place overall and 2nd in the VA (30-39) category, which Jacques won.

This race was extremely fast with an average of 45km/h for the Category 1 bunch. With bunches this big you have to make use of the right hand lane of the road and when there is no road closure, it is a dangerous problem because of all the traffic. I hope there will be at least rolling road closure for the Category 1 bunch next year.

All in all it was a good race and we started the season with some great results, thanks to Andrew.

By Emile Fouché