A win at last for local cycle talent (25)
“I’ve had a few years of bad luck in this race,” the winner said.
Local cycling talent Steven van Heerden (25) made Kempton Park proud when he won the Bestmed Satellite Classic road race on October 13.
With a stunning time of 02:35:18, the BCX rider was too fast for his fellow racers on the 110km track near Hartbeespoort Dam.
Although the Glen Marais resident gunned for the title in the past, it was his first time taking the top spot.
“I’ve had a few years of bad luck in this race and it was great to be able to turn it around this time,” Van Heerden said.
Of course, he didn’t do it alone. Van Heerden formed part of a four-man team, which included defending champion Nolan Hoffman, Chris Jooste and Brandon Downes.
According to Van Heerden, they helped him cross the finish line first.
“Hoffman and Jooste were part of a breakaway group at the 30km mark. I missed that move but the bunch kept up the pace and we closed in.”
With only a kilometre to the finish line, rider Dylan Girdlestone from OfficeGuru tried to get ahead but he wasn’t fast enough for Van Heerden.
“Downes had set me up nicely and when Girdlestone attacked, I went with him and managed to get ahead. Jayde Julius chased hard in the final stretch but I was able to hang on for the win.”
Van Heerden took first place, with Julius from ProTouch hot on his heels two seconds later and Girdlestone in third place.
In the women’s section, Joanna van de Winkel from Cycle Nation took first place with her time of 03:11:24. Carla Oberholzer from team Demacon was second (3:13:00) and Zanri Rossow from Clover third (3:13:21).
