Impey shines with another double
In red-hot form at the moment, South Africa's premier cyclist adds the road title to his time trail triumph earlier in the week.
Overall race winner South African rider Daryl Impey is the first cyclist to win consecutive titles in the 21 years of the Tour Down Under. AFP/Brenton EDWARDS
Daryl Impey was the star performer at the SA Road Cycling Championships, wrapping up an impressive double on Sunday’s final day of competition in Pretoria.
Impey, who had won his eighth career national time trial title earlier in the week, added the road race crown to secure a double for the second year in a row.
The Mitchelton-Scott rider held off an onslaught from a full strength Dimension-Data team, breaking clear in the latter stages to take an impressive solo victory in the 162km road race in 3:35:30.
Sprinter Ryan Gibbons grabbed second place, 25 seconds off the pace, and Di-Data teammate Stefan de Bod was third, a further six seconds behind.
In the 52km time trial, Impey had completed the course in 57:46, with De Bod finishing second in 58:57 and another Di-Data rider, Louis Meintjes, taking third in 1:01:54.
Meanwhile, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio dominated the elite women’s road race at the weekend, with the CCC Liv rider completing the 136km contest in 4:01:40 to reclaim the national title she last won in 2015.
Juanita Venter was second in 4:03:31 and Joanna van der Winkel finished third in 4:04:41.
Earlier in the week, Liezel Jordaan took the elite women’s time trial, rocketing around the 26km course in 38:48.
She was a full minute quicker than runner-up Zanri Rossouw, with Juanita Venter taking third in 40:03.
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