![\"ccs-58780-0-95977600-1486363565.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-58780-0-95977600-1486363565.jpg\")
<\/a>Team Telkom\u2019s David Maree beat RoadCover\u2019s Kent Main in a sprint to win the 2017 Bestmed Berge en Dale Championship in Muldersdrift on the West Rand. Photo: BrandBoom<\/span><\/p>\nThe 27-year-old from Fourways in Johannesburg said the outcome had been \u201ca bit of surprise\u201d as they had planned their strategy around the team\u2019s sprinter, Reynard Butler, in anticipation of a bunch finish to the 102km road cycling classic.<\/p>\n
As it turned out, Maree said he and Main broke clear from the main peloton with about 10km remaining and managed to hold them off in the closing stages.<\/p>\n
Butler led the leading bunch home to take third spot on the podium.<\/p>\n
Maree described the Berge en Dale as a real challenge, but one which suited his strengths.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe short, punchier climbs suit me as I\u2019m a lighter rider, but it\u2019s the sort of race where you can have a love-hate relationship,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have a good race, this sort of event is amazing, but if you are not quite in top condition, you can really suffer.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for a guide as to where you are in terms of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, this is a great building block. It gives you a perfect indication of your conditioning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Telkom and RoadCover took the race by the scruff of its neck from the start, which led to Maree and RoadCover\u2019s Clint Hendricks \u2013 who will be defending his Cape Town Cycle Tour title next month \u2013 going clear on Krugersdorp Hill. They were joined by Marvin van Musschenbroek.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe worked well together, but knowing that Clint is a very fast sprinter, my plan was to roll with him and get him to exert himself as much as possible,\u201d said Maree.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith about 30km left, I fell back to the bunch and very soon afterwards the peloton caught up with the front pair.\u201d<\/p>\n Maree said Telkom then forced the race with a number of attacks until Main put in a surge with about 10km to go.<\/p>\n \u201cI followed him, knowing that I have the speed although I had done quite a bit in the race already. But Kent had also ridden quite hard so we worked well together.<\/p>\n \u201cWith 3km to go we only had 16 seconds on the chasing group of about 10, so it was very close. We managed to just hold them off by about 10 seconds in a really good race.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a> David Maree (centre) won the Bestmed Berge en Dale Championship in Muldersdrift on the West Rand. Second was Kent Main (left) and third went to Reynard Butler. Photo: BrandBoom<\/span><\/p>\n