NONTOBEKO MTSHALI
A POLITICIAN, a father and son, and 2012 Olympic cycling hopefuls were among the 25 000 cyclists who took part in this year’s Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge.
The race, staged annually for the past 15 years, started at 5.30 yesterday on the R55 just before Maxwell Drive and finished at the Waterfall Country Estate in Kyalami.
Among the day’s youngest racers was Jordan van Niekerk, 12, who rode with his father Craig. The two took a little over three and a half hours to finish the race.
Exhausted Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota confessed that he had not finished the race within the four and a half hours he had set for himself.
“It’s one of the most punishing races I’ve ever done,” Lekota said.
He added that he had taken part in the challenge as part of his preparation for next year’s Cape Argus Cycle Tour, which he has done several times.
The winner of the men’s race was Arron Brown, who completed the 94.7km course in two hours and 11 minutes.
Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, who won the women’s race, said she was surprised at her victory because she had had to change bikes during the race.