RISING star Jevandre Pauls believes he is peaking at the right time following his South African Junior Road Championship triumph in Nelspruit on Sunday.
Pauls, who is also the reigning SA junior track champion, completed the 112km road race in three hours to take the white jersey.
In the process Pauls won his second major road title in four years following his SA U14 road championship win.
Coming from behind to contest for the title with 30km remaining, Pauls says his strategy worked well.
“I think my tactics worked very well on the day. I stayed behind the first breakaway group and caught them 30km out,” said Pauls.
“I saw some of them were struggling on the hill so I attacked again, knowing it will come down to the sprint and I have a strong sprint.”
The 17-year-old Team Tasol GT member finished ahead of Morne van Niekerk who placed second while Ivan Venter came third.
Pauls, who was still in a state of euphoria following his victory, said he was overwhelmed by the achievement.
“It’s still sinking in. I’m really happy with the way everything has unfolded, especially my preparations leading up to the event. They were spot on.”
Pauls, who is also unbeaten in eight national junior races this year, put together a string of impressive results leading up to Sunday’s event.
The East Londoner obtained first place finishes at the Herald VW Cycle Tour, Berg en Dale Classic in Johannesburg (both in the juniors) and most recently the Daily Dispatch Spar Cycle Tour .
“I think I’m really peaking at the right time. My training has been going really great and I have managed to stay injury-free for the past year or two,” said Pauls.
“I’m really looking forward to the next couple of races though. I know a lot of guys are watching and targeting me so it’s only going to get harder,” added the MSC College finance, economics and accounting student.
Pauls, who is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in South African professional cycling circles, is also breaking barriers in international junior events.
At the Daily Dispatch Spar Cycle Tour two weeks ago, Pauls outsprinted former Tour de France and Team Sky rider John-Lee Augustyn and Conrad Viljoen on his way to victory.
With the South African National Junior Tour in two weeks time and national junior track champions in three weeks time, Pauls has an extremely busy schedule before racing in Europe midyear.
However, his main goal this year will be to reach the podium at the World Junior Road Champs and the World Junior Track Champs in August and September respectively.
Pauls powers to top award
Pauls, who is also the reigning SA junior track champion, completed the 112km road race in three hours to take the white jersey.
In the process Pauls won his second major road title in four years following his SA U14 road championship win.
Coming from behind to contest for the title with 30km remaining, Pauls says his strategy worked well.
“I think my tactics worked very well on the day. I stayed behind the first breakaway group and caught them 30km out,” said Pauls.
“I saw some of them were struggling on the hill so I attacked again, knowing it will come down to the sprint and I have a strong sprint.”
The 17-year-old Team Tasol GT member finished ahead of Morne van Niekerk who placed second while Ivan Venter came third.
Pauls, who was still in a state of euphoria following his victory, said he was overwhelmed by the achievement.
“It’s still sinking in. I’m really happy with the way everything has unfolded, especially my preparations leading up to the event. They were spot on.”
Pauls, who is also unbeaten in eight national junior races this year, put together a string of impressive results leading up to Sunday’s event.
The East Londoner obtained first place finishes at the Herald VW Cycle Tour, Berg en Dale Classic in Johannesburg (both in the juniors) and most recently the Daily Dispatch Spar Cycle Tour .
“I think I’m really peaking at the right time. My training has been going really great and I have managed to stay injury-free for the past year or two,” said Pauls.
“I’m really looking forward to the next couple of races though. I know a lot of guys are watching and targeting me so it’s only going to get harder,” added the MSC College finance, economics and accounting student.
Pauls, who is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in South African professional cycling circles, is also breaking barriers in international junior events.
At the Daily Dispatch Spar Cycle Tour two weeks ago, Pauls outsprinted former Tour de France and Team Sky rider John-Lee Augustyn and Conrad Viljoen on his way to victory.
With the South African National Junior Tour in two weeks time and national junior track champions in three weeks time, Pauls has an extremely busy schedule before racing in Europe midyear.
However, his main goal this year will be to reach the podium at the World Junior Road Champs and the World Junior Track Champs in August and September respectively.
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