Former African road race champion Tesfom Okubamariam held his nerve and his line to sprint to victory in the inaugural 100km Bestmed Capital Classic, presented by ASG, in Pretoria on Sunday.

The Eritrean’s win in the first road race of the new Bestmed National Cycling Series puts him at the top of the standings.

Okubamariam, riding in the colours of the MTN-Qhubeka feeder team, crossed the line in 2:17:24 ahead of Pieter Seyffert (Altech Autopage-Karan Beef) and Dennis van Niekerk (Bonitas) at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Europcar SA’s Willie Smit and Okubamariam’s teammate Nicholas Dlamini, who were also part of the decisive five-rider charge, were disqualified after taking the wrong lane and ending up parallel to the finishing chute.

Okubamariam said he was happy to finish the first half of his season on a high. The 24-year-old will return to his home country next week to compete in his national road championships.

More than 2 200 cyclists turned out for the debut race, which covered an out-and-back route along the N14 towards Krugersdorp.

In the women’s race, an in-form An-Li Kachelhoffer of Team Activate went on a solo breakaway in the last 30km to secure an uncontested win in 2:45:28.

Her teammates Heidi Dalton and Lynette Burger controlled the racing behind her to take second and third respectively in 2:45:49.

Kachelhoffer, 27, said she had been feeling strong at the start of the race, as her preparations for the European racing season had been going well.

Former Pretoria resident Kachelhoffer, who recently relocated to George, said she had driven the route many times and was pleasantly surprised by what a great cycle course it was.