![\"ccs-62657-0-52804100-1550936372.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-52804100-1550936372.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Jason Oosthuizen (left) pips Marc Pritzen in the final dash for the line to win the Takealot Berge & Dale 108km cycle road race for the first time in Krugersdorp on the West Rand today. Photo: Jetline Action Photography<\/span>\n<\/div>\nHe crossed the line in 2:29:09, with Pritzen (OfficeGuru Racing) centimetres behind and credited with the same time. Travis Barrett, also of OfficeGuru, completed the podium in 2:29:23.<\/p>\n
As a Krugersdorp resident, the 19-year-old Oosthuizen said it was a special feeling to win a race in his own backyard.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have raced it a couple of times and contended as a junior, but never won the event,\u201d he said. \u201cSo this was a really good moment for me and my team.\u201d<\/p>\n
He won the national U23 road title last year, but said this was a major victory for him in the elite category.<\/p>\n
Oosthuizen said the race boiled down to an attack on the Sterkfontein climb after a group of 15 riders had broken away around the 40km mark, creating a gap of two minutes, 15 seconds.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we had a few guys on the front rolling through and we gradually brought them back at the foot of Sterkfontein,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that stage, Marc Pritzen [the current SA U23 road champion] attacked over the top and five of us \u2013 I, Marc, Kent Main, Travis Barrett and Chris Jooste \u2013 got away from the bunch.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarc then attacked again and I managed to stay with him as we got a gap on the other three.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a difficult sprint up Krugersdorp hill because it\u2019s a new one after they flipped the route, but luckily the timing was on my side and I managed to edge home on the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faced with a new route, which race organisers ASG Events changed to improve the safety aspect of the event, Oosthuizen said he felt it had been a good challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis route is a different ball-game because going through the Cradle [Cradle of Humankind] it is quite hilly and you have to consider your options.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t want to miss a big break in the start, but you also don\u2019t want to spend all your pennies and not be able to contend when it comes to the climbs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt definitely provides a different perspective and makes for positive racing because you can\u2019t just sit in the bunch and wait for the sprint \u2013 you have to race it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that his victory would not have been possible without the support of his team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t have a team ethic in this sport you won\u2019t make it, so a big shout-out to my teammates for this win.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe missed the breakaway about 40km into the race, but even the junior riders came forward to help and it was great to win for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/a>Jason Oosthuizen (left) speaks to race announcer Johnny Koen after he won the Takealot Berge & Dale 108km cycle road race for the first time in Krugersdorp on the West Rand today. Photo: Jetline Action Photography<\/span>\n<\/div>\n