Technical bike handling, anaerobic power and tactical intelligence were on display at the Criterium Cycle Race at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday morning, March 14.

Two races were held, a B-event for mountain bikers and less experienced riders, and an A-race featuring top local cyclists and a handful of professionals.

The event was organised by 2D Adventures with support from the provincial department of sport. Just over 100 riders competed.

The cyclists raced anticlockwise around the paved road surrounding the stadium.

Crit is a high-intensity, technical form of cycling involving tight, short-circuit racing. The A-race was a thriller, with the initial lead bunch powering their way around the circuit before a smaller bunch pulled away and went toe-to-toe until the final lap.

The riders shared the duty of leader for all to make use of slip-streaming, but once the bell singled the final lap it was a no-holds barred sprint to the line.

Pro cyclist Callum Ormiston could not be matched for final-lap acceleration and won the race. Professional cyclist Megan Botha won the women’s A race.

Reyneke van Heerden and Jemma Barnard were victorious in the B-races.

After the prize-giving there was a surprise in store for the two development teams at the event. Brand-new mountain bikes were donated to the Bushbuckridge Cycling Academy and Mataffin Hotspurs Cycling Club, courtesy of the Mpumalanga Departments of Culture, Sports and Recreation.