![\"ccs-62657-0-39297600-1415557016.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-39297600-1415557016.jpg\")
<\/a>Tyron Bird raced to victory to take his maiden win at the Bestmed Ballito Expedition which took place on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast on Saturday. \/\/ Photo: Jetline Action Photo.<\/span>\n<\/div>\nThe Quattro rider held a small but determined chasing group at bay to claim victory in the 50km race in a time of 1:53:37.<\/p>\n
Ryan Piercey followed him across the line to earn the runner-up spot in 1:54:14, with Joshua Nelson just pipping Brad Stroberg for third in 1:55:33.<\/p>\n
Bird said the racing started slowly, as the riders gauged each other\u2019s strength and the effects of the previous night\u2019s rainfall.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were worried initially but the conditions weren\u2019t too muddy and the trails were nice and grippy, so it was great.\u201d<\/p>\n
After getting away early on, the eventual top-four finishers kept the tempo up and worked together to extend their lead over the ensuing 30km.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was hurting a bit from the start until about the halfway mark,\u201d said Bird. \u201cBut I was able to sit on and conserve as much energy as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Nelson launched a strategic attack, Bird realised that this could be the decisive move of the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wanted to put the hurt down on us and as soon as he started getting a bit of a gap, I decided to go across to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe eased up slightly after I joined him and, as soon as he did that, I knew that this was my chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird attacked with 17km to go but Nelson managed to stay with him for a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cThen we got into a nice technical single-track section and I just kept the pace high through there.\u201d<\/p>\n His tactic worked and when they emerged from the single-track, Bird had opened up a small but sufficient lead.<\/p>\n With a strong wind hampering his solo effort, he put his head down and gritted his teeth towards the finish at Sugar Rush Adventure Centre.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was like a 15km time-trial from there and I knew I had to keep going because I had three guys who were chasing me down.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the end, I managed to cross the line first and that\u2019s what counts. It was nice to come down and take the win.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Tyron Bird took the win at this year\u2019s Bestmed Ballito Expedition, with Ryan Piercey in second place and Joshua Nelson rounding out the podium. \/\/ Photo: Jetline Action Photo <\/span><\/p>\n