Davids and Becker respective cycle challenge winners
the 20th edition of the 947 Cycle Challenge was held recently.
BRANDON Davids is hoping his win in Sunday’s 20th edition of the Telkom 94.7 Cycle Challenge, will be the catalyst that will propel him into racing on the World Tour in the next few years.
The 94.7 Cycle Challenge was held in Johannesburg on Sunday November 20.
Davids, who has experienced much success as a mountain biker and is making the transition to road riding, said at the Riversands Commercial Park finish that he was still coming to terms with his first big win on tarmac. He beat second-placed Eddie van Heerden (Team Hollard) and Morne van Niekerk (Team Telkom), who was third, in an all-South African podium.
“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet,” said Davids, who rode in the colours of Swiss Cycles. “It’s a little bit unexpected, to be quite honest. I came up to Jo’burg yesterday; and I didn’t really have great expectations. I’ve been concentrating on the mountain bike mainly, but I felt this race kind of suits me with the power climbs.”
Germany’s Charlotte Becker celebrated with a whoop and a holler, as she won the UCI 1.1 women’s race. Riding for the Norwegian-based Hitec Products team, Becker outsprinted Spanish national champion Mavvi Garcia (Bizkaia-Durango) and South Africa’s Lise Olivier (Time Freight), who were second and third respectively. Officials had to consult the finish-line camera to decide which of Garcia and Olivier, had taken the first runners-up spot. For Becker though, it was a great end to a successful week for her and her team in South Africa.
“It was a good end to a really good week in this country,” said Becker, who’d competed in the KZN Summer Series that preceded the Cycle Challenge. “We took three wins from three starts. Winning the Cycle Challenge was the perfect end to our stay here. It’s my first time in South Africa. I can’t wait to come back.”
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
