Rainbow colours for dynamo Deno
Deno van Heerden is the world's best amateur road cyclist in his age category.
TOP RIGHT: Deno van Heerden in the coveted rainbow jersey with silver medallist Anthony Chapman from New Zealand and bronze medallist, Thomas Ford from Great Britain (right).
Every competitive cyclist dreams of wearing the rainbow colours around his chest, an honour reserved for world champions only.
Ballito’s Deno van Heerden became one of a select few to earn this privilege for the next 12 months when he clinched the UCI Gran Fondo World Road Cycling title in Perth, Australia on Sunday, September 4 in the men 35 to 39 age category.
The event is the culmination of 15 UCI Gran Fondo World Series events held around the world, with only the top 25 per cent of riders in each age group qualifying for the world championships.
Simply put, Van Heerden is the world’s best amateur road cyclist in his age category.
“I still cannot quite believe it. It is something all competitive cyclists dream about. To wear those rainbow colours around your chest is a real honour and I look forward to it,”said Van Heerden, who is the current South African time trial champion in his age group.
The tough 155 kilometre course took the world’s 110 best amateur road cyclists, aged between 35 and 39, from Perth into the hills of Kalamunda, challenging them with a brutal 4000 metres of vertical climbing over the course of the race.
“It was for sure a course that would test the very best cyclists and if you went there under prepared it was going to chew you up and spit you out,” said Van Heerden.
The pace was controlled by the Australians who enjoyed the home ground advantage and was characterised by numerous breakaways that were all caught and brought back.
“Being outnumbered, I had to ride a smart race – be vigilant and stay close to the front to ensure I did not miss any breakaway attempts,” said Van Heerden who did not have any team mates with him in the leading group of 50 that steadily reduced to only 12 riders as the weaker ones were picked off by the fast pace.
With 500 metres left there was a lot of argy-bargee as riders jostled for positions but Van Heerden was well positioned and felt good.
With 200 metres to go, he found a gap between the barrier and Polish rider, Dariusz Miroslaw and he launched his sprint. Nobody could bridge the ten metre gap Van Heerden opened up and he had time to celebrate and enjoy the moment.
He clocked a time of 4:11:56 to edge out silver medallist, Anthony Chapman from New Zealand and bronze medallist, Thomas Ford from Great Britain.
Ballito’s superstar cyclist, Deno van Heerden on the podium in Perth, Australia in the UCI Gran Fondo world road cycling champion jersey.
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