![\"ccs-62657-0-77446700-1448124555.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-77446700-1448124555.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Team MTN Qhubeka clinched the main prize at the 23rd annual Coronation Double Century.<\/span><\/p>\nRain overnight resulted in a cold start for the 257 participating teams. Intermittent showers with around 6 knots of wind kept temperatures a cool 16 degrees Celsius in Swellendam for the duration of the race \u2013 providing tough cycling conditions for the challenging 202km route.<\/p>\n
Team MTN Qhubeka\u2019s Songezo Jim, was ecstatic about his team\u2019s victory. \u201cAt the first time check we were 5 minutes behind, and by the second time check, we had taken 4 minutes back again and were riding quite hard. We took the final 59 seconds back as we were coming into the finish line. 202km is a long day for us and the weather played a big part in our success. It’s a very different route from the races in Europe and we really enjoyed it as a team, particularly as we did it for our charity, Qhubeka\u201d.<\/p>\n
Team Velocity Sports Lab 1 grabbed the coveted title in the women\u2019s category, finishing in an impressive time of 06:25:51. They out-cycled second placed Team Novas Ladies by seven minutes, while Team Velocity Sports Lab 2 placed third and joined their teammates to make the podium.<\/p>\n
Team captain Miriam Stronkhorst said it was a tough ride, \u201cBut we stuck to our strategy and went flat out from beginning to end. We were lucky this year as we were the last ladies team to start and once we passed the Paarl Media “Frosties”, we knew we were one up. We had a great mix of older, experienced riders and new, young riders who were strong climbers. We also had a couple of triathletes who were brilliant on the flats. By working together as a team, we supported each other to achieve this win. We love this event – the organisation is fantastic, the vibe is great and the support on the road is awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n In the mixed category, Team Complete Cyclist Mixed were the ones to beat, claiming the top spot in a time of 05:32:01. They were followed by Team My Training Day and Team Hotchillee Mixed in second and third place, respectively. Said winning team captain Franco Ferreira, \u201cWe just tried to not go out too fast and worked hard to be patient for the first two climbs. This is our third year trying to win the mixed category and we had a time in mind, but the conditions were very tough and we had to adjust this, so we’re very pleased to be successful. We were also lucky as we had no punctures or mechanicals and the entire team rode well.\u201d<\/p>\n Team Investec Asset Management were the first group of all 12 riders to cross the finish line in a time of 05:31:11, and were awarded the Charles Milner award, while Team Urban Fitness Outdoor were first in the mixed category to cross together, finishing in a time of 05:51:19.<\/p>\n Senior portfolio manager at Coronation Fund Managers, Neville Chester rode his 10th Coronation Double Century for Team CoroChaps, and was pleased with his team\u2019s performance and the success of the 2015 event. \u201cThe true essence of the Coronation Double Century is teamwork and endurance, with this year\u2019s rain, wind and occasional frost, every team that crossed the finish line are true victors. As naming right sponsor, we are proud of our partnership with the organisers, the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust (CTCTT) and the Pedal Power Association (PPA). Over the past nine years we have hard to ensure that the Coronation DC continues to deliver an excellent road riding experience for participants, team support crews and spectators. Congratulations to the various category winners; we look forward to seeing everyone back in Swellendam for another exciting Coronation DC in 2016\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/a>Team Velocity Sports Lab 1 grabbed the coveted title in the women\u2019s category at the Coronation Double Century.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Complete Cyclist Mixed were crowned winners of the mixed team category at the Coronation Double Century.<\/span><\/p>\n