Cyclists turn out in droves for fun Tshipise road race
Cyclists started gathering at the Forever Resorts Tshipise a day ahead of the start of the second Tshipise Cycling Road Race that took place last Saturday and Sunday.
LOUIS TRICHARDT – Cyclists started gathering at the Forever Resorts Tshipise a day ahead of the start of the second Tshipise Cycling Road Race that took place last Saturday and Sunday.
This year, P&L Cycling Club combined efforts with Ultimate Cycling Club from Musina and Limpopo Cycling to present this race, which also formed part of the Limpopo Provincial Road Championships.
“Forever Resorts Tshipise hosted one of the best and safest cycling events this year and we are proud to announce that no major injuries were recorded during the course of the events.
“Even the weather turned out pleasant and warm with road cyclists enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery on the tar roads,” race administrator, Renda Alexander, said.
She said Musina Toyota, FNB Musina and Ultimate Cycling Club manned superb water points along the routes, with the local traffic department and police keeping a watchful eye.
She said the race was clearly a favourite among cyclists in the region, as the amount of participants increased with a staggering 350% from last year.
Because the road race formed part of the Limpopo Provincial Road Championships, the competition was fierce.
“This event provided an ideal opportunity for cyclists who are preparing for the upcoming Cape Argus Cycle Race taking place in March,” Alexander added.
The male winner of the 15km race was Chase Trollope in a time of 25:31, while the female winner was Anna Elisa Gutierrez in a time of 28:09. In the 50km race, the winner was Kombo Bere in a time of 1:28:42 and the first woman to finish was Renata Joubert in a time of 1:28:50.
Maurice Ferreira picked up the pace during the 100km race and won in a time of 2:43:32, while Jeanette Naude was the first woman to finish in a time of 3:01:26.
The first ever Forever Resorts Tshipise mountain bike (MTB) race started on Sunday morning with over 200 participants.
The 10km MTB fun ride took participants through the beautiful resort, with friends and family cheering along the way.
Johan van den Heever and Anischka Neethling were the first home in their respective gender classes.
Marco Roets finished the 25km route in 1:05:55 and Ashley Murray was the first woman across the line in a time of 1:33:08.
The 50km race was done in two laps, with Kombo Bere flying past in the first lap in less than one hour. He finished first overall in a record time of 2:04:53. The first woman home was Louwrinda Dando in 3:12:06.
Although the MTB race was dubbed “the sand monster”, all the participants had lots of fun, enjoying the beautiful nature reserve and surroundings that Tshipise had to offer.
“Thank you to Pieter Erasmus, Forever Resorts Tshipise’s general manager, for hosting this wonderful, successful event.
“We would also like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors Toyota Musina, FNB Musina, the personnel of the Ultimate Cycling Club and P&L Cycling Club, as well as Vonitel Radio in Louis Trichardt. Without the marshals and supporters, this race would have been without the spirit and motivation that defines and contributes towards the overall experience of a successful sports event,” Alexander said.
