Cycle challenge true to its name – challenging

The first Go West! Cycling Challenge attracted the cream of the crop of top national cyclists and teams to Mogale City, kicking off on Paardekraal Avenue where the race finished, writes Randfontein Herald’s freelance journalist Raymond Moeng.

The 144km eilte race had top cyclists such as Nolan Hoffman (the former 94.7 Momentum Cycle Challenge winner), Calvin Benecke and Tyler Day competing in the elite men section.

It was, however, Nolan who beat the leading peloton with only 300m to the finish.

The women’s event was won by Lynette Burger from Toyota who piped Anli Pretorius to second position and Odelle Joubert to third.

“It was one of the toughest races that I have cycled recently, with a bit of wind and an undulating course, we tried to split the race in a bunch of eight in the leading peloton. I only can say I saw it at the finish that I had the race in my pocket, it is always in you and it is a matter of how the body responds to the race condition on the day,” says Lynette.

Also in the lead peloton was local cyclist Peter Mudau from InterActive New Horizons who is from Munsieville.

He was in the thick of things with the leading bunch and managed to finish in 30th position.

“I was there to work for our team captain Peter Lee Jefferies who came sixth overall. There were constant individual attacks from time to time, and at Tarlton towards Carletonville the MTN Qhubeka Team broke away to make a guard.

“For me the route was more flat and undulating as we headed towards Randfontein,” says Peter.