Amanzimtoti cyclist claims double victory in epic Cape races
Bryan started training specifically for the stage race six months before the start.
Amanzimtoti cyclist Bryan Cusack, 54, won the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope near Paarl in the Cape Winelands that took place from 2 to 6 March.
“My plan was to attack off the start line on day one”. Normally a foolhardy move, it worked for Bryan and he finished joint first on the 110km first stage. On the second day he won the 45km time trial, 51 seconds ahead, and claimed the yellow jersey.
He timed his attack on the third stage through the mountains to perfection and rode solo for 145km to finish with a commanding 12 minute lead into the peloton. On the gruelling 168km penultimate stage he decided to attack again at the top of Franschhoek and boosted his lead to 31 minutes.
“On the final day I chilled to recover my legs for the Argus.” He finished the 78km final stage in third to climb onto the top step of the podium. It was a triumphant return after finishing third two years ago when a mistake on the first day annihilated his chance of winning.
READ ALSO: Cycling safety tips
Then to put the cherry on the top, he and Brendan Anderson won the Cape Argus two days later on a tandem. “Last year we suffered a double puncture, which blew our chances of victory, so it was a great come-back. To win the Tour of Good Hope by four minutes was my biggest victory, but you can never beat the feeling of winning the Argus, with 30 000 spectators cheering you on.
Stage racing suits me better, but there are more spectators at a one-day race. Stages is like a game of chess, knowing when to make your move. It was a great week in the saddle and I will definitely be back next year.”
The Irishman was born in a town made famous by song, Tipperary, and moved to toti 26 years ago. “I rode competitively, but with no money in it then, I was forced to get a day job and stopped at the age of 19. I started again at 40.”
Bryan, who has been a member of Westville Cycling Club for 14 years, started training specifically for the stage race six months before the start. With no steep elevation close to home, he trained with an ultitude simulator, breathing through a mask while cycling with his bike on a trainer. He tackled 200km rides once or twice, to total 800km a week.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti teacher on a mission to complete triathlon
One of his prizes was the chance to compete in Italy in May, but whether that will take place remains to be seen, with the coronavirus shutdown of all major sports event around the world. The plan was also to partner with another Toti cyclist Lauren Symonds, in a team bid to win the top three spots of the Aquelle Tour Durban on a tandem next month.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
To receive our free newsletter click here
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
