CALVIN Beneke from Team MTN Qhubeka won the ultimate 150km at this year’s Race for Victory.
The annual Rand Water Race for Victory took place on Sunday September 15 and some 2 100 cyclist participated in this popular event.
This year’s race boasted a new and exciting route and race format. This, in addition to it been recognised as one of the longest standing National Classic races on the cycling calendar. The race took place for the 17th year in concession in aid of Frances Vorwerg School.
Southerner, Calvin Beneke, took full honours and added his name to some of the illustrious winners of this race such as Alan van Heerden, Nic White and Reinardt Jansen van Rensburg not to leave out his very well-known father, Gary and uncle Mark. For years this race was coorganised by Gary Beneke.
Calvin was well supported by his MTN Qhubeka team mates who he just pipped on the finishing line. He came through in a time of 3:43 (still to be confirmed) to finish the challenging 150km route which was introduced for Pro and Elite riders. This route went through the illustrious Suikerbos Rand Nature Reserve.
Beneke lead the team home to take victory for the development squad. Beneke’s teammates Meron Amnuel and Costa Siebeb were second and third respectively, in a clean sweep on the podium.
“I am back and glad to participate in the race,” said Beneke after his win. “I see this as my home race because these are the roads I train on every day. I think we are really starting to gel as a team now and getting to know each other well which is great for us.”
He was also congratulated by the Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulufor of Women Children and People with Disabilities. She said, “I am very please that you entered and would like to congratulate you on your win. It means a lot for us when sport supports a worthy cause.”
This Elite event can now arguably be termed, as the toughest one day National Classic in the country and a deserving winner will emerge. Over R27 000 of prizes will be awarded at this race. The King of the Mountain prize is sponsored by Land Rover Constantia Kloof. The main sponsor of the event was Rand Water.
The winners in the women’s category are: 1. Lynette Burger, 2. Anli Kachelhoffer, 3. Heidi Dalton.
