Van Wyk wins Ride for Sight again

Velodrome expert Joshua van Wyk pulled off a spectacular sprint towards the finish to clinch first wheel and successfully defend his title at the 34th Dis-Chem Ride for Sight on February 19 at Boksburg Stadium.

It was high octane and hell for leather finish as the fastest sprinters in the peloton battled for top honours but the Farrarmere resident out-sprinted everyone to win the men’s 116km in 02:36:26 and land the James Cape Memorial Trophy.

With the peloton behind the leaders by 20 seconds as they turned into Carnival City, it looked like a done deal. But it wasn’t to be as the group caught up and it was left to the sprinters to do the hard yards to the finish line on Jubilee Road.

The route to the finish, which was moved from inside the Stadium to Jubilee Road, worked in favour of the track cycling sensation.

Hhe said the course, which was suitable for a bunch sprint, tempted him to break away early, a tactic which he said could’ve backfired.

“Because it was straight to the line, without the two corners from previous years, a lot more guys were keen to sprint. I had to be very patient.

“It was an interesting race. Towards the end, we though we weren’t going to catch the small breakaway. We ended up catching them and it was my job to sprint because the team had been working all day from me. It put a lot of pressure on me but I’m glad I could deliver,” he said.

It was the former Höerskool Hans Moore learner’s first race back after breaking five ribs, a collarbone and a scapula in an accident in December.

Last year, as a solo rider, he was forced to stay with the leading bunch and dance to their tune as there was no one protecting him. This year, however, as part of ACDC Luso Africa, he had teammates who did the donkey work, executing their responsibilities well to help him win.

“Last year I didn’t have a team. I couldn’t rely on anyone but myself. Today we had a really strong team who are committed to helping me win.

“They didn’t hesitate even once to help. I didn’t need to ask. Without that, the breakaway would have stuck and I wouldn’t have been able to pull off the win. It worked out well for us.”

The 25-year-old is racing in the African Continental Championships on March 5. He will then head to Egypt for the Nations Cup, which he hopes to win to qualify for the World Championships.

He will then head back to Belgium to race for six months.

Emile van Niekerk took the second wheel in 02:36:27 while Herman Fouchè finished closely behind Van Niekerk to complete the top three.

Lize-Ann Louw took the first wheel in the women’s race in 03:18:46.

“It’s all down to hard work. Credit and honour to God. It was a nice race. I take every race as it comes and hopes for the best,” she said.

S’annara Grove was second after finishing in 03:18:46 and Ricc-Lee Brookstone completed the top three.

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