Kempton cyclist scoops second place in nail-biting finish
The local cyclist was only centimetres away from the racer who took first place.
A nail-biting finish saw Kempton cyclist Marc Pritzen take second place in the 108km Takealot Berge & Dale Cycling Road Race in Krugersdorp on February 23.
The former Hoërskool Kempton Park learner was only centimetres away from winner Jason Oosthuizen in the last sprint across Krugersdorp Hill that gave spectators a photo-finish. The route of the race took cyclists through the hilly Cradle of Humankind.
It was Oosthuizen’s, a Krugersdorp resident, first win in an elite category. Pritzen, a racer for OfficeGuru and the current SA u-23 champion, was credited the same finish time as Oosthuizen; two hours, 29 minutes and nine seconds. Travis Barret was third with his time of 2:29:23.
“At one stage, Pritzen attacked over the top and five of us – Pritzen, Kent Main, Travis Barrett, Chris Jooste and I – got away from the bunch,” Oosthuizen said.
Pritzen then attacked again and I managed to stay with him as we got a gap on the other three.”
According to Oosthuizen, the sprint up Krugersdorp Hill was the most challenging, but he managed his timing well and was able to cross the finish line first.
