Nelspruit was abuzz with South Africa\u2019s top road cyclists today for the opening race of the Mpumalanga Sport Council 2012 SA National Road Cycling and Time Trial Championships.<\/p>\n
The cream of the crop took to the roads on their own, battling the hot, humid and still conditions in the Individual Time Trial discipline, marking the start of what is expected to be four great days of top notch road cycling.<\/p>\n
MTN Qhubeka\u2019s Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg dominated the Elite men\u2019s race, clocking the fastest time on the 40km Elite Men\u2019s course in 50 minutes 40.25 seconds, whilst Momentum Toyota\u2019s Cherise Taylor secured her second consecutive Championship title completing the 30km women\u2019s course in 45 minutes 34.92 seconds.<\/p>\n
Twenty three-year-old Pretoria resident Van Rensburg was elated with his victory following dedicated preparation leading up to the event. \u201cIt\u2019s quite special to be the SA Time Trial Champion,\u201d said Van Rensburg. \u201cThe team trained here in Nelspruit two to three weeks ago and we knew the course really well. Our training was specific on our Trek \u2018Speed Concept\u2019 <\/em>time trial bikes \u2013 they are really top of the range and our equipment is all the latest technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s international racing results has boosted Van Rensburg\u2019s confidence ahead of the SA Road Champs: \u201cSince the start of the season I knew that I could win this, and the preparation has paid off. The course was undulating and quite hard. I realised that if I was in trouble on the course, that I would not be able to make up the time again, and fortunately I managed to pace myself well.\u201d<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race, 22-year-old Taylor was equally elated with her new title: \u201cIt was pretty hard, a time trial is always hard!\u201d exclaimed the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast cycling star. \u201cThe competition was tough, but I was so fortunate to have a great team manager David Pieterse, who really motivated me today. I am really ecstatic for winning the title; it is such a hard discipline to win!\u201d<\/p>\n Taylor\u2019s preparations have been solid in the lead up to the SA Championships, and her recent move to training with coach Dr. Jeroen Swart is going really well. \u201cJeroen is monitoring my power and heart rate on a weekly basis. I leave for Europe on the 23rd March, and I am really looking forward to the rest of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked about the upcoming road race, the new Time Trial champions feel they are ready for the challenge. \u201cI hear that Saturday\u2019s route is quite tough. My favourite for Saturday\u2019s race is Ashleigh or Robyn (de Groot). I hope that the teams come together and make a good race out of it,\u201d said Taylor. \u201cIt is a privilege to wear a national jersey.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m feeling quite positive for Sunday,\u201d said Van Rensburg. \u201cSome of the pressure has been relieved now.\u201d<\/p>\n RESULTS \u2013 Mpumalanga Sport Council 2012 SA National Road Cycling and Time Trial Championships \u2013 Thursday \u2013 01 March 2012 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Elite Men Individual Time Trial \u2013 40km<\/p>\n Elite Women Individual Time Trial \u2013 30km<\/p>\n U23 Men Individual Time Trial \u2013 40km<\/p>\n Junior Men Individual Time Trial \u2013 30km<\/p>\n Junior Women Individual Time Trial \u2013 20km<\/p>\n Elite, U23 Student Men Individual Time Trial<\/p>\n Elite Student Women Individual Time Trial<\/p>\n Full results (PDF downloads)<\/strong><\/p>\n Elite & U23 Men Time Trial.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Elite Men Time Trial.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n U23 Men Time Trial.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Junior Men Time Trial.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Elite Women Time Trial.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Junior Women Time Trial.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n