On September 10, 2011 we lined up outside the Dundee primary school for 80km of the Mpati Cycle Challenge. The Mr. Price Vets team was represented by myself, Emile Fouché and Gwyn Pine.
The racing started with a short neutral zone to get us through the town of Dundee. As soon as the racing proper started, attacks started left, right and center. At about 10km into the race Emile and myself got away and open a gap of about 20 seconds to the chasing group. Werner Moolman (Cyclelab Durban) knew that the two main contender in the group- AC Swanepoel and Victor Grobler (Team Intelibus) was not going to make the racing, but rather sit wheel to the end and then attack, so he made the pace hard, unfortunately in so doing he closed the gap to us, dragging the group back to us. Werner Moolman then straight away put in another attack to which AC Swanepoel and Victor responded. Emile and myself knew we couldn’t let them go, so we worked hard to cross over. We crossed over at around 30km done and from there on the 5 of us rode away from the chasing group.
The out and back route was more demanding than we expected and the headwind all the way back to the finish didn’t make the ride any easier.
With around 3km to go I put in an attack to try and break the breakaway up, but didn’t really succeed. Emile then went, also with no success. Victor and AC then went, with Werner Moolman chasing.
In the end Victor took the win overall with Werner Moolman 2nd and AC Swanepoel 3rd. I crossed the line in 4th overall and 1st in the Vets 30-39, closely followed by Emile. My first podium and my first win-great feeling I must admit.
It was a fantastic race and a good day at the office for the Mr. Price Vets team.
After the Margate South coast challenge has been canned for the second year in a row, we decided to head to Johannesburg to do the Dome to Dome which took part on the 4th of September. The team members going up were Werner Venter, Mike Viljoen, Andrew Reeves, Gwyn Pine and me. Gwyn , being the Ballie between the 30 plus year old laaities raced in the 40+ category. We weren’t allowed to race with the licensed VA category as we were registered as a Top club team.
We lined up in the start pins with the Pro/Elite/u23 bunch. You know, it is that category where the paid riders and those with the prospect of being a paid rider start (Those who can train while the not so lucky sit at work). At 6h15 the shout was given by the commentator to start the race and there we went. The Dome to Dome, which should now be called “Back to School”, is not an easy event and it turned out to be a hard morning of sucking wheel. It was a new route this year, starting at the top of Sterkfontein heading out past Tarlton, up past Maropeng, a lap of the Cradle and back to the top of Sterkfontein. The race started off on a drag from Protea Rif School and then a bit of a breather until you turned right onto Robert Broom Drive. We encountered a climb and unfortunately we lost Werner there as he had a bad day. We got onto the R24 and then turned right onto the T7 where the bunch was going at a high pace over a drag that made me almost spit my back teeth out. This is where Mike decided he had enough and only Andrew and I were left. Unlike me Andrew can handle himself at the front of the bunch with the Pro teams. A break of ten riders strong formed where most of the Pro-teams were represented and the bunch went into cruising mode, which was still at a speed of between 45 and 50 kilometres an hour at stages.
There was a long drag before we reached the actual climb towards the finish line and the pace of the bunch was high, too high for me and I popped off. Going up the climb, I could maintain a good pace and saw Andrew just a couple metres ahead of me. Andrew crossed the line as the 5th (No chip) Vet with me in 6th with a time of 2h15:07. The race was won by Reinardt Janse van Rensburg from MTN Qhubeka in a time of 2h11:33.
After the race we made the decision that we would be withdrawing from the Top Club team status, as we want to be able the race. An established Sub Vet racing format was destroyed to help get the country’s top and Pro cyclists used to racing in bigger bunches. Maybe a good idea at a time, but Top Club failed. We want 30+ racing back and we want to be able to compete against riders in the same situation as us, working for a life and cycling as a hobby (Although we don’t always want to admit it).
Bring back Sub Vet racing! We are not the only team that feels this way!
The morning started dark and cold. Luckily the cops were late, so we got to defrost a bit before shooting up the hill from the start.
With us having a full team back from all types of recovery, we were definitely the dominant team, reflecting in our numerous attacks in the first half. Although we kept trying to get a few guys away, with the head wind and the numerous lone riders, the groups didn’t get far before being brought back. The back of the 50 strong group was the place to be until the road took its toll and a few riders went down, reminding us that we needed to up front out of trouble but in the wind.
A good move went away just before the hill of the day at Scottburgh, with Andrew Reeves, Sean Merredew, Deno van Heerden (Fego) and Dave Imrie (Fego).
It seemed like the move of the day but once 2 riders came across on the hill, it all fell apart as riders were not putting the same effort in and the group came back together.
By the turn around the group hadn’t changed too much and there were still the usual contenders and a few new faces.
From the turn the racing was showing to be harder and faster with attacks going right away, again with our numbers we were able to ensure that only the moves that we allowed would stay away .
Approximately 25km to go, a move went off that included 2 Mr price riders, a Fego and a Martys rider. With everyone represented in the break, the group was hesitating and the break got further until they were out of sight.
There were numerous good attacks attempting to get off the main group but all got pulled back quickly.
The move of Andrew, Stephan, Rowan and Aston was now more than a minute up the road and was sure to stay away with only 10km left.
The surprise of the day was when Rowan from Fego was dropped from the break, with only 7km left, causing the group to panic and start the racing again.
Up front Aston was trying hard not to get worked over by the two Mr price riders but that was not happening.
What was explained is that Andrew led Stephan out for the win, leaving Aston for third.
The group was larger than hoped for, making the final few corners much more exciting and dangerous, luckily we were able to secure 4th as well, ending off a great race were the team really worked well together and achieved the results with numbers.
The cold weather was still hanging around making the Mr Price tent a popular place with the club ensuring there were plenty of drinks and snacks as usual.
Results:
Overall:
1. Stephan van Eck (Mr Price Junior)
2. Andrew Reeves (Mr Price 30+)
3. Aston Davies (Marty’s Cycles)
4. Sean Merredew (Mr Price 30+)
30+ Category:
1. Andrew Reeves (Mr Price)
2. Sean Merredew (Mr Price)
3. Deno van Heerden (Fego)
After three days and four stages of freezing cold mornings, hard racing and suffering we lined up for the 5th and final stage of the Mid Vaal Vets Tour. Andrew Reeves and Sean Merredew were the highest placed Mr Price team members on the overall GC, with Andrew being 1 minute and 26 seconds behind the yellow jersey rider, Julius Cobbett, from Cycle Nation. There were only five riders left who was in actual contention for the tour win, that being Julius Cobbett (Cycle Nation 7:00:15), Jimmy le Roux (7:00:27), Craig Harvey (7:00:56), Andrew (Mr Price 7:01:40) and Sean (Mr Price 07:02:31). The next best rider on GC was almost 10 minutes behind which would be an impossible task to get to the yellow jersey. Mr Price was on the back-foot, but we sure as hell were going to fight for it!
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The race started with an easy cruise with a lot of chitchat as if nobody was actually in the mood to race hard. After probably almost 10km of this, Andrew decided that was enough of the snail speed ride and went to the front upping the pace. Gwyn Pine (Mr Price) took over from him and the racing was on. It was a flat course and the bunch pretty much stayed together with Mr Price and Cycle Nation controlling the front of the race. We were heading for the Hotspot at 30km and you could feel the vibe in the group change for those important points. Sean pulled off next to the road and I assumed it was a mechanical or puncture (Only later we found out it was a mechanical of a different sort). The sprint for the line was on and Julius took it with Andrew in second. Jorge Faria (Cycle Nation) attacked just after the Hotspot as we turned right on the R42. I rode across to him and we rolled through to create the first break of the day. At some stage we were a minute up the road, but the bunch reigned us in near the 50km mark and the KOM was just ahead. I was glad to see Sean is back in the bunch. Sean gave Andrew a great lead out for the KOM, but Julius was greedy (Like another Julius I’ve read about) and outsprinted Andrew for the Polka Dot points. The bunch stayed together until we turned right onto Karee Road. Sean came up next to me and told me we need to start attacking to try and split the bunch up. Andrew put in an attack, got caught and then Sean attacked. When Sean got caught Andrew attacked again with Craig Harvey (Cycle Nation) on his wheel but for some reason Craig was not keen to roll through. As they got caught I found some energy and launched an attack. My companion from the earlier break, Jorge Faria, followed with Pieter Swemmer (Cyclelab) on his wheel. The three of us rolled through and opened a gap. I was feeling pretty good, but I wasn’t sure this break was supposed to work. In the last 4km I decided to slow the break down and stopped rolling through. If we got caught, Andrew and Sean would be there to finish the race off. If we did not get caught, I was hoping to have the fresher legs in the trio.
Meanwhile, Gwyn and Werner had orders to chase the break down. We got caught with just over a kilometre left and the sprint was on. Unfortunately Sean got boxed in and had to start his sprint early. He overtook Julius, but Julius had another kick for the line. Julius won the stage and tour for Cycle Nation, with the Mr Price boys, Sean and Andrew rolling over the line in 2nd and 3rd.
The Mr Price team did not win the tour, but we never stopped fighting and came back home with two yellow jerseys, two stage wins, two second places, one third and plenty of Spar Vouchers for our team piggy bank!
Photos by www.cyclenation.co.za
The tour had gone well up to this point and after loosing the yellow jersey to Cycle Nations Julies Cobbet on the Mornings Stage we now had the TT on a flat route but with tired legs the chances of taking time back was good.
Andrew Reeves was our best placed rider on Gc and next was Sean Merredew, the times where a little slower on the day after the mornings stage of 90km ,Gwyn pine was the best placed rider in the TT also winning the stage for the Team, then Sean Merredew ,Andrew Reeves, Werner Venter, Emile Fouche.
Good Riding by the Team on The TT which is always a hard race against the clock, it was sad that Andrew Reeves saddle moved down on the TT making it not possible to pull back some time which was seconds at the end for a podium position.
Well done for the good effort Mr. Price Team we will be back
Editors Note: Gwyn was very modist in saying he won the TT. I would like to add that he not only won the TT in the 30-39 category (as a 40+ year old), but did the best time overall! Well Done Gwyn!
Photos by www.cyclenation.co.za
Stage 3 of the 2011 Midvaal Tour started out as very cold and windy Saturday morning, June 18th. The 30+ race started at 9 am with our team mate Andrew Reeves in yellow after 2 stages with a slender lead of 6 seconds over Julius Cobbet (Cyclenation). The day’s stage saw us doing 3 laps of 30km each with hotspots at the start/finish of each lap with time bonuses awarded at each hotspot. We knew that we would have to get Andrew to the line to try and take the hotspots or prevent Cyclenation from claiming the hotspots.
From the gun we worked hard with Gwyn Pine, Emile Fouche, Mike Viljoen and myself(all Mr Price) pacing at the front. As we approached the first hotspot, all the main contenders kicked and opened a gap on the main peleton.Unfortunately for our team, only Sean Merredew and Andrew Reeves were in the break with Craig Harvey , Julius Cobbet(Cyclenation) and Jimmy le Roux.
Once the break went we were happy to sit up and not chase the break-in hindsight probably a bad decision as we left our two main contenders to fend for themselves-a decision that ultimately cost us the yellow jersey.
Up front the racing was very hard. Eventually Jimmy le Roux and Julius Cobbet broke away and rode to the finish where Jimmy won the stage. Sean and Andrew had to work very hard to chase the two riders down, but with no help from Craig Harvey, they spent themselves and with 1 km to go, Craig kicked and opened up a gap on Sean and Andrew to which they could not respond. Craig went on to take third place. Sean and Andrew came across the line in 4th and 5th place.
Gwyn, Emile and myself rolled in a few minutes back with the main peloton.
A very disappointing day for our team to loose the yellow jersey, but valuable lessons was learned.
Photos by www.cyclenation.co.za
Stage 2 - Friday 17 June - of the Midvaal Vets Tour was staged at the Midvaal race track. A crit stage of 1hr15 min plus one lap - enough to scare anybody into a coma – especially after the previous day’s excursion in the howling wind.
What was annoyingly becoming evident was the fact that:
1. The wind was going to pump - all day
2. It was dang cold!!!
So at 9am with the wind at a steady 50km/h at a comfy 5 degrees, we arrived to start our battle. We had already figured that our main competition for the day would be hard at us from the gun to try and wrestle the yellow jersey from the shoulders of our man, Andrew Reeves. Try as they did, we brought it back and made it a hard day of racing.
With two major teams going at each other, it opened the door to the few strong individuals to play off this. The result was a really exciting stage. From the gun the pace was hot so Gwyn Pine set off up the road on a solo attack. Left on his own he raced off to a sizable lead which remained unchallenged for a few laps. It soon became evident to the others that this man of legendary time trial skill was getting away and the screws were tightened. A few flat out laps followed and Gwyn was eventually pulled back into the bunch. As soon as the pack was together (groupo compacto for those that followed on twitter!), the counter attacks followed from a very active Cycle Nation.
Anthony Field-Buss (Cycle Nation) was the next to make a telling attack. The name of the game for us was to follow and sit, defend what we had and follow moves. Yours truly chased Anthony and we made a getaway. Unfortunately Anthony had ideas other than the logical “work together to get away” and attacked me a lap into our get away. Riding away at a furious pace i decided that fighting a 2 man battle was silly and slowly lost the wheel. After 3 or 4 laps i made my way back to the bunch led superbly by a snarling Emile, seeing that I was losing interest fast. After recovering we all hit the front and hunted Anthony down. It did not take us long to reel him in which again led to furious counter attacks.
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Luckily for us we were all on point. Sean and Werner were the next to weather the attacks as they came one after another. Riding on this track was extremely difficult. Hitting a wall of frigid air after a long back straight broke many attempts at getaways. It did not however stop guys from trying.
The remaining 20 minutes was a furious affair with many flyers going off the front. The back straight became a hunting ground for attacks and counters and we were all kept busy chasing and chasing.
The bell rung for the final lap and all hell broke loose. The back straight was again the scene for deadly moves which we gamely covered. Unfortunately we were so attentive to Cycle Nation that we left the door wide open for Jimmy le Roux who attacked into the wind off the final s- bends. He was able to open a sizable gap and held that through to the end. Coming into the last corner we managed a small lead out for Sean and Andrew.
Sean managed to annihilate the field running close to the pit lane for a second with Anthony Field-Buss in third.
The result was that we kept the yellow and brought Sean up higher in the points standing. It was a tough, but exciting day at the track. A well fought team effort.
Photos by www.cyclenation.co.za
