IT was an exciting sprint race to the end for mountain biker Nick Porteous who won the men’s 45km race at the Halfway Toyota Illovo Challenge organised by South Coast Hospice at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre last Sunday.
It was a close shave for Nick (32), who beat his friendly rival, Darryn Purtell (23), for the title by literally centimetres.
Nick, who went to Port Shepstone High and is now living in Johannesburg, said the ‘race was really great’.
Nick said Darryn, Evan van der Spuy and himself are all good friends, and they decided to attack the field from the beginning and ride the race together.
“Unfortunately Evan suffered a mechanical failure 5km in and had to withdraw. Darryn and I continued to race hard together to the end,” he said.
Nick said they hit the field which led to the line and had a sprint for the line.
“Darryn started the sprint and took the inside (racing) line, forcing me to sprint around him. I crossed the line only half a wheel ahead of him,” he said.
Nick said it was a great day on the bike with great friends.
“It’s awesome to see events such as the Halfway Toyota Illlovo Sugar Challenge being held on the South Coast. The coast needs more events such as this to grow the sport of mountain biking,” he said.
Darryn, from Southbroom, described it as a ‘pretty cool race with Nick and himself riding hard together the whole way’.
Winner of the women’s race, Amanda Hawke, was one of the many cyclists who braved the tough 45km track which stretched across five sugarcane fields in Izotsha.
Di van Wyk, CEO of South Coast Hospice, said it turned out to a be a wonderful family day which had a great atmosphere.
“It’s become a major event and contributes greatly towards hospice’s sustainability,” she said.
She thanked all those who had a heart for hospice, including Halfway Toyota, Illovo Sugar, farmers, sponsors, hospice staff and all those involved in making the day a huge success.
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RESULTS
45km men: 1 Nick Porteous; 2 Darryn Purtell; 3 Grant Langley.
45km women: 1 Amanda Hawke; 2 Marlise Joubert; 3 Heather Malan.
25km men: 1 Brandon Venter; 2 Lindani S; 3 Mark Fourie.
25km women: 1 Megan Bircher; 2 Petro de Wit; 3 Ann Mckenzie.
12km men: 1 Ridwaan Desai; 2 Aadhil Pael; 3 Fritz de Wit.
12km women: 1 Zarah Moosa; 2 Nicki Adie; 3 Caitlyn Schlehmeyer.
5km men: 1 Siviwe Qunu; 2 Brent Richter; 3 Jason Brughts.
5km women : 1 Thando Dlamini; 2 Emily Peckham; 3 Caitlin Peckham.
45km category prizes:
Junior: John Cele
Senior: Darryn Purtell and Linda Hawke
Sub-veteran: Nick Porteous and Marlise Joubert
Veteran: Grant Langley and Heather Malan
Master:
Andre Beneke
Grand master:
Charles Stander
Oldest male on the day:
Mike Linten
The Trek 26″ adult bike was won by Crispin Meth and the toddlers bicycle by Cindy du Plessis.
