CRAIG Alers ruled supreme as he sprinted home ahead of a tight group of riders at the annual NFB Border 1000 Cycle race yesterday.
Alers, riding for the local Biogen cycling team, timed his charge to perfection as he put himself a bike length ahead of Jared Salzwedel to cross the line in first, while Awie Jacobs was just behind in third.
He was then followed in by premier local rider Jevandre Pauls, 2014 Border 1000 champ Donovan O’Reilly and 2013 champ Jason Reid, in fourth fifth and sixth respectively, as the top six riders all finished within a few seconds of each other.
“It was a tough day out there with the cross wind, but I was very happy to come through and take the win in the end,” said Alers. “I had finished in the top bunch before on a number of occasions, so it was good to finally win the race.
“I timed my sprint very well. I was relaxed and waited for the right moment and then put everything into that final sprint.”
The race began with a large group of around 30 riders leading the way on the course.
At a climb close to the Wriggleswade turn off O’Reilly then made a break and was followed by the core group of front runners who stuck together until the final sprint.
“I felt a bit of pressure out on the course, but I just stuck with the main group and made my move at the end,” said Alers.
In the women's division Cindy Schwulst once again ruled the roost as she cruised to her third successive title in the race.
Schwulst came in on her own, in no rush, to take another dominant win and secure the title for another year.
Debbie Sanan finished runner-up, while Carmen Schaefer finished third to round out the podium places on the women's side.
The 35km race as always was a quick affair and Nico van Zyl was then the first home in the men's division.
He was followed in by Clint Gertze, while Cameron Flanagan finished third.
In the women's division Melissa McLaren took the honours ahead of Elne Owen in second while Lindy Collins took the third and final podium spot.
The new 20km kids’ race was then enjoyed by a number of young up-and-coming cyclists.
Luke Taylor was the first U12 boy finisher, while Alex Fanicchi was the first U10 boy to pass the finishing post.
On the girls’ side Carla Hartslief was the first U14 girl to finish, while Kiara Herman was the first U12 girl and Sarahdene Wylie the first U10 finisher.
The Border 1000 was enjoyed by the competitors with around 300 cyclists taking part in the three races.
Alers wins Border 1000 race
Alers, riding for the local Biogen cycling team, timed his charge to perfection as he put himself a bike length ahead of Jared Salzwedel to cross the line in first, while Awie Jacobs was just behind in third.
He was then followed in by premier local rider Jevandre Pauls, 2014 Border 1000 champ Donovan O’Reilly and 2013 champ Jason Reid, in fourth fifth and sixth respectively, as the top six riders all finished within a few seconds of each other.
“It was a tough day out there with the cross wind, but I was very happy to come through and take the win in the end,” said Alers. “I had finished in the top bunch before on a number of occasions, so it was good to finally win the race.
“I timed my sprint very well. I was relaxed and waited for the right moment and then put everything into that final sprint.”
The race began with a large group of around 30 riders leading the way on the course.
At a climb close to the Wriggleswade turn off O’Reilly then made a break and was followed by the core group of front runners who stuck together until the final sprint.
“I felt a bit of pressure out on the course, but I just stuck with the main group and made my move at the end,” said Alers.
In the women's division Cindy Schwulst once again ruled the roost as she cruised to her third successive title in the race.
Schwulst came in on her own, in no rush, to take another dominant win and secure the title for another year.
Debbie Sanan finished runner-up, while Carmen Schaefer finished third to round out the podium places on the women's side.
The 35km race as always was a quick affair and Nico van Zyl was then the first home in the men's division.
He was followed in by Clint Gertze, while Cameron Flanagan finished third.
In the women's division Melissa McLaren took the honours ahead of Elne Owen in second while Lindy Collins took the third and final podium spot.
The new 20km kids’ race was then enjoyed by a number of young up-and-coming cyclists.
Luke Taylor was the first U12 boy finisher, while Alex Fanicchi was the first U10 boy to pass the finishing post.
On the girls’ side Carla Hartslief was the first U14 girl to finish, while Kiara Herman was the first U12 girl and Sarahdene Wylie the first U10 finisher.
The Border 1000 was enjoyed by the competitors with around 300 cyclists taking part in the three races.
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