WATCH: Young races to first Ride for Sight victory
She finished second last year but this time, she launched an unyielding assault on the 19-women field to race to her first victory.
Lucy Young produced a sublime cycling exhibition to register a dominant victory in the women’s race at the 37th Dis-Chem Ride for Sight at Boksburg City Stadium on February 15.
Young, second behind Lisa Bone in last year’s race, dominated a strong women’s field to replicate Bone’s performance from the 36th edition of the race when the two-time winner broke away from the peloton early for her second title, to register her first victory at the event.
@benonicitytimes Lucy Young won her first Dis-Chem Ride for Sight at Boksburg Stadium on February 15. She shared her thoughts on the race after crossing the finish line.
The Tshenolo Pro Cycling rider secured the victory in 03:22:42, arriving at the finish 03:35 ahead of Marzaan Mellett, who finished the race in 03:26:17 for second place. Taneal Otto took the last podium spot 08:24 adrift.
“I kind of did what Lisa Bone did last year. This is my third time doing this race. It was about learning lessons until I finally managed to execute the perfect tactics,” Young said.
In windy conditions and on a new 125km route, the bunch stuck together for the bulk of the race despite some small breakaways.
Young launched her attack around 90km into the race. Mellet followed but when she went back to her team car for some refreshments, this presented a window of opportunity for Young.
Also Read: In Pictures: The 36th Dis-Chem Ride for Sight
Young grabbed it with both hands and went into time trial, opening a gap too wide for Mellett to close. She ultimately arrived on the homestraight unchallenged before punching the air in victory, while the Cycle Nation Enza Construction rider settled for the second wheel.
Asked about their race plan, Young said, “The strategy was to race as the race unfolded. We did want to get a breakaway of sorts but it was nothing cemented. It was kind of pinch where it hurt and attack. Once I got a small gap, I put my head down and rode, hoping the bunch was going to stay away”.
The 31-year old thanked her teammates for their unwavering support and relentless work during the race.
“My teammates were incredible. Marzaan, whom I got away with, worked really well. I was lucky to have the legs on the day,” said Young.
Mellett was happy with the runner-up spot in her second Ride for Sight race after debuting as a solo rider last year.
“This was quite a tough race. The tactics played out. We had to change our plan because it wasn’t going to work. Lucy broke away and put on the pressure. She didn’t take it off. It was about 40km time trial to finish second. I’m quite happy with the result. I’m happy for the team. They did an amazing job. It was an amazing race,” she said.
On their team tactics, the 19-year old and her Cycle Nation teammates had thought the bunch would stick together for about 96km, but constant attacks forced them to improvise.
“It was our plan to go to 96km and race on from there to the finish. But that didn’t work. There were attacks the entire time. We had to improvise”.
Also Read: WATCH: Bone defends Dis-Chem Ride for Sight title
