![\"ccs-62657-0-03611000-1436170026.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-03611000-1436170026-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Bestmed-Shukuma Madibaz cycling team took the runner-up spot in the team classification at this year\u2019s University Sport South Africa championship hosted by Maties in Stellenbosch from June 29 to July 1. Photo: Supplied.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite being the 2014 titleholders, the NMMU riders were at a numerical disadvantage from the start of the three-day road tour.<\/p>\n \u201cWe went into the tour as defending champions and never would have thought that we would get the results we did with only four riders compared to the other universities who had up to seven,\u201d said Prinsloo, whose young team also included Matthew Hayter, Van Aardt and Shane Kemp.<\/p>\n \u201cOur goal was to try and podium but we knew it would be a tall order as we were racing teams double our size and with much more racing experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Prinsloo said both Maties and UCT had fielded full squads comprising a number of riders who also cycled for professional teams.<\/p>\n The tour kicked off with a 70km road stage on the Lady Loch circuit in Wellington.<\/p>\n The Madibaz were looking good until the third lap, when Van Aardt crashed heavily as he crossed the line at the first sprint prime.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was at this point that I once again realised why I love student champs so much, as the entire bunch then sat up and waited for Christiaan to return,\u201d said Prinsloo.<\/p>\n \u201cThis showed true sportsmanship.\u201d<\/p>\n The NMMU team recovered well to go into the afternoon\u2019s individual time-trial in first place in the team classification.<\/p>\n \u201cThe guys showed guts as the entire team rode brilliant times despite our smaller team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the Madibaz slipped into second after stage two, as the 120km queen stage loomed ahead the following day.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was a very intense race with multiple breakaway attempts and flying attacks from the likes of Maties who were in the first team position but Varsity College had the yellow jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n Hayter showed pure class riding in the break with Maties\u2019 eventual stage winner Hans-Werner Heuer.<\/p>\n Van Aardt was a strong contender for all the hotspots and placed third in the final sprint to the line.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately Shane did not finish the stage but the contribution he made was immeasurable and he will play a big role in the future of the team,\u201d said Prinsloo.<\/p>\n He said day three proved to be even tougher on the NMMU camp with the riders feeling physically drained from the two previous days of hard racing.<\/p>\n