After cycling 202km in perfect racing conditions, Team NuWater CVT achieved their third consecutive win as they were crowned winners of the 21st Coronation Double Century in a record breaking time of 05:09:04. NuWater CVT out-cycled second placed Team Balamony Investments by just over 20 minutes to clinch the coveted title while Team HotChillee, who had Team Sky’s Ben Swift riding for them, held off some stiff competition from the remaining teams to claim third place in the men’s category.
Team NuWater CVT cross the finish line after completing the 202km route in a record time of 05:09:04 at the 2013 Coronation Double Century in Swellendam.
Team NuWater CVT manager Hannes van der Walt expressed his delight at having secured the hat-trick of wins. “We really love this event – it’s a “hard man’s race” and is the longest race for us as a team. We were aiming to break the five-hour mark, but strong head winds 90km’s from the finish put paid to that. Regardless, we are extremely happy with today’s result and very pleased to hold the fastest record for the CDC.”
Team HotChillee were gunning for a podium-finish and achieved this feat with Ben Swift mentoring 18-year old up-and-coming development star Nicholas Dlamini today. “The race was fantastic and I was so impressed by Nicholas’ performance,” commented Swift. “With about 40km left, Nicholas cramped slightly which gave us a bit of trouble, but we had fun and are very happy with our result.”
Team Velocity Sports Lab Ladies, winners of the women’s category at the 2013 Coronation Double Century, on the route in perfect riding conditions.
Velocity Sports Lab Ladies was the quickest ladies team to complete the route as they raced ahead of the other three competing female teams. Paarl Media Ladies came in second place while Vodacom Ladies claimed the third podium spot in the ladies category.
Team Give Me a Chance clinched victory in the closely contested mixed category race as they edged out competition from Team Raynard Tissink Coaching who came second, while last year’s winners, My Training Day placed third.
Professional athlete, Cherise Stander participated along with 11 other riders in the Give Me a Chance Foundation team. Their aim was to raise awareness for a cause that provides promising children with an opportunity to get further in life. “This was an amazing event and I rode with some incredible athletes today. We struggled a little with the first two passes, but improved a lot in the second half of the race. I’ve been doing a lot of long rides on the bike lately so I am quite used to it, and the team really worked together and motivated each other today – which made all the difference.”
The Give Me a Chance Foundation team clinched top spot in the mixed category at the 2013 Coronation Double Century.
Executive and Senior portfolio manager at Coronation Fund Managers, Neville Chester who also participated in the event, re-iterated the company’s commitment to the event, “Coronation is a proud sponsor of the Double Century as it epitomizes the key characteristics associated with our company: teamwork, performance and an undiluted focus on the long term. We love the unique, team format of the event and the fact that it is one that is challenging, yet still accessible. We look forward to being involved in the 2014 event.”
David Bellairs, one of the Directors of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, organisers of the Coronation Double Century, completed the event with a team of media, VIP and development riders that included Western Cape MEC for Finance Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde who rounded off the day saying, “Events like these are good economic drivers for towns like Swellendam, a platform to encourage new cyclists to the sport and they promote a healthy lifestyle.”
Team NuWater CVT are crowned winners for the third time in a row at the 2013 Coronation Double Century after breaking the record for the fastest time completing the route.
Race Results are as follows:
Racing Men:
1 – Team NuWater CVT (05:09:04)
2 – Team Balamory Investments (05:31:10)
3 – Team HotChillee (05:34:33)
Racing Women:
1 – Team Velocity Sports Lab Ladies ((06:22:37)
2 – Team Paarl Media Ladies (06:43:07)
3 – Team Vodacom Ladies (07:57:42)
Racing Mixed:
1 – Team Give Me A Chance (05:44:26)
2 – Team VSL Raynard Tissink Coaching (05:51:51)
3 – Team My Training Day (05:52:12)
Eldron besides the moaning it is fantastic! Cannot recommend it highly enough, only change I want is get the support cars off the route and let teams use boxes.