Cycle champions sprint to success in Bestmed Emperors Palace Classic
Both winners thanked their teams for the wins.
Reynard Butler from Roodepoort sprinted to his third victory in a month at the Bestmed Emperors Classic road race in Kempton Park on Sunday.
The 29-year-old ProTouch rider, who previously finished second in the 98km race, praised his team for delivering him victory. He crossed the line in 2:07:54.
Ryan Harris and Clint Hendricks were in his tracks to take second and third places.
“The team was really good and kept me out of trouble throughout the race,” Butler said.
In the junior division, Ryan Terry took first place with his time of 2:07:56. Ruben Helberg cycled in second at 2:07:57, and Jean-Pierre Lloyd third with a time of 2:07:59.
Cape Town Cycle Tour champion Kim le Court maintained her form to land her second successive title in the feature race. The Mauritian held off teammate Lynette Burger and Clover’s Sanet Coetzee to cross the line in 2:36:46.
Of the juniors in this category, Tiffany Keep took first place with a time of 2:36:46. She finished second overall of the women but was competing in the junior division. Azulde Britz took second place with her time of 2:36:48 and Nicola van der Walt third with 2:41:52.
Le Court said the race was “a bit nerve-wracking”, but her confidence in the team helped settle any nerves. This champion cyclist leaves for the Commonwealth Games in Australia on Friday.
The 48km race saw Daniel Coetzee win with a time of 1:11:41. Short on his heels was Christiaan Klopper in second place and Thomas Schlebusch in third.
Marilize Roller took the trophy home in the women’s category with her time of 1:24:24. Antonique Grotsius came second and Britney Strumpher third.
Some cyclists also faced a muddy 44km mountain bike race. Hennie van Wyk won with a time of 1:33:51. Alex Pavlov was second and Bradley Potgieter third.
Chloe Gardener was first of the women in 1:52:09. Michaele Cooper came in second with her time of 1:55:27 and Faye Derby third with 1:57:50.
Lastly, the 24km mountain bike race saw Aaron Heyneke triumph in 53:13.
Amy Green crossed the line first of the women in 1:04:3. Behind her, Bianca Keyser came second and Marlene van Heerden third with her time of 1:11:14. Frederick Smit took second place a minute and a half behind him. Anton Roelofse came third.
Kempie riders
Four riders from Hoërskool Kempton Park took on the 25km race.
Frederik Booysen came seventh, André van der Walt 10th, Ruann Verweerd 15th and Wian Joubert 16th.
Stephan van der Walt rode in the 48km race and obtained a 16th overall position.
