Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (MTN-Qhubeka) honoured the memory of his dad the best way he knew how to and that was to win the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge. It certainly was one of the most emotional finishes in the 16 year history of the Cycle Challenge.
Photo: Zoon Cronje
Photo: Zoon Cronje
Britain’s Sharon Laws (Momentum-Toyota) made South African cycling history becoming the first international rider to win the women’s Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge race. In the end it boiled down to a bit of a British invasion because Catherine Williamson (Bizhub) finished second.
Over the last 50 metres of the men’s race with Janse van Rensburg’s victory a foregone conclusion he sat up on his bike, zipped up his cycling jersey and pointed his right arm straight into the air giving his dad, Anton, one last salute just as he crossed the finish line. “Appreciate your family and friends and don’t take anything for granted as tomorrow everything can change,” an emotional Janse van Rensburg said.
“I want to dedicate this victory to my dad. People should realize that bipolar disorder is serious disease, don’t ever ignore the symptoms.” Janse van Rensburg’s dad, Anton, committed suicide two weeks ago. “If it wasn’t for dad, I might never have become involved in cycling. When I was 13 my dad bought me my first bicycle for Christmas. Since then he has been my biggest fan. I owe so much of my success to him.”
Janse van Rensburg’s winning time was 2 hours 10 minutes and 19 seconds. Johann Rabie (Bonitas) was a mere two seconds adrift, with Arran Brown (MTN-Qhubeka) third, a further six seconds behind. Jason Bakke and HB Kruger (both Bonitas) finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Janse van Rensburg joined the elite group of cyclists who managed to win the Momemtum 94.7 Cycle Challenge and the Argus in the same year but it might be his last victory for a while in local racing. He will be riding for Argos-Shimano from next season which means there is a real good chance that he will compete in the Tour de France and maybe even the Giro d’Italia.
As was expected the men’s race boiled down to a serious game of chess on wheels between the riders from MTN-Qhubeka and Bonitas after a group of about 12 riders managed to go clear of the main peleton.
The MTN-Qhubeka riders were the main aggressors thanks to Jaco Venter who sat on the front of the break-away for kilometres on end setting a hard pace. The real fun and games started over the last 10 kilometres with the Bonitas riders, HB Kruger and Jason Bakke, launching one attack after the other, forcing the MTN-Qhubeka riders to give chase. Janse van Rensburg bided his time. When Kruger attacked again, he counter attacked and caught everybody else napping.
Photo: Zoon Cronje
Rabie admitted to thinking that Janse van Rensburg will take a breather after having caught up with Kruger. Janse van Rensburg immediately accelerated again. There was no stopping the motivated van Rensburg.
“I tried but I just could not get back on Reinardt’s wheel,” Rabie said. “It never nice to lose a race but I guess finishing second is better than nothing.”
As usual Janse van Rensburg refused to take all the credit for his victory. “My team mates road like men possessed that made my job so much easier.”
Laws who is the British national road champion, only recently signed to ride for Momentum-Toyota, being an unknown to the local riders was a big advantage. It was clear that Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (Momentum-Toyota) was the marked rider which made it easy for Laws to get away on her own. She basically time trialed her way to victory over the last 50 kilometres. It could be the longest or second longest solo breakaway in the history of the Momemtum 94.7 Cycle Challenge.
In 2006 Yolandi du Toit also caught all of the favorites off guard with an attack which led to her riding for nearly 50 kilometres on out on front to win.
Cherise Stander (Momentum-Toyota) was third.
Laws’ victory means that Toyota South Africa will pay an extra R20 000 towards the Cycling Safety Campaign.
For more information on the race visit www.cyclechallenge.co.za
What a racer!
Earning his place at Argos Shimano too.