Bradley Gouveris was the toast of the tour as he cruised to the Daily Dispatch Cycle Tour title in the pouring rain at Buffs Club yesterday morning.
In just his second appearance in the Dispatch race Gouveris claimed a maiden win in a time of 2:48:17, finishing just 11 seconds ahead of East London’s Craig Alers who took the runner-up spot, while Jared Salzwedel was awarded third in a time of 2:50:06.
“I am extremely happy to get the win, I have come so close in quite a few races this year, so to finally get the win was great,” said Gouveris.
“The whole plan for this race was to keep in touch of the leaders and get in the mix towards the end and then ride solo away to get the win, and that’s what happened, so it all went to plan.”
It was an exciting finish in the end with the top four cyclists over the line finishing within two minutes of each other, after they had separated themselves from the chasing pack in the final 8kms.
This after Jonas Schomburg, Salzwedel and Clinton Gravett had made the initial break in the race about 30kms in.
Gravett, who took the king of the mountains category, and Schomburg then dropped Salzwedel after the halfway mark before he fought back along with Gouveris and Alers.
The top four then dropped Gravett in the closing stages, before Gouveris and Alers moved just ahead.
Gouveris then made his move on the final climb to put enough space between himself and Alers to take a good win.
“It was really tough conditions out there, so I am very happy to finish second,” admitted Alers.
In the women’s division Dispatch Cycling darling Anriette Schoeman stormed to a fifth title in a row in a time of 2:58:27.
Schoeman, who has claimed six Daily Dispatch cycle titles since 2010, with only her runner-up finish in 2011 breaking her streak, was in a dominant mood as she crossed the line comfortably in first position.
“I am more relieved than anything, the conditions out there were miserable, but the guys were really pacing the race well and I had to dig deep at some stages.
“But I really enjoy this race and coming back each year to defend my title, I think when I am 80 they will need to have a wheelchair division,” Schoeman admitted with a laugh.
East London triathlon star Cindy Schwulst came in second, improving on her third-placed finish last year, ending in a time of 3:11:06, while exciting junior talent Elne Owen rounded out the podium in a time of 4:10:10.
In the early morning miserable weather did nothing to deter an impressive number of cyclists who braved the elements to take part in the 102km main event, 50km race and 19km family ride.
In the 50km race Benjiman Brown took first overall, Patrige Chimwendo second and Jason Burmeister third.
On the women’s side, top honours went to Eden Smith, with Carol Cloete second and Tarryn Delport third.
In the 19km ride the top three men were Caylem Essen, Keegan Lottering and Lourens Spies, while the first three women were Ashleigh Mayhead, Nadia van Zyl and Madison Mann.
Daily Dispatch marketing manager Ryan Megaw was most upbeat about the event.
“I would like to thank all the particpants who came out and braved the terrible weather,” Megaw said.
“You guys were an inspiration.
“I would like to thank all our sponsors – BCM and BCM Tourism, Just Property, Volvo, Refreshhh and Vodacom, a well as our other partners, East London Cycles, Buffs Club, Bate Chubb and Dickson and Amaqhawe Cycle Club.
“Without you guys, this event would not be possible.”
Gouveris pulls out all stops to win
In just his second appearance in the Dispatch race Gouveris claimed a maiden win in a time of 2:48:17, finishing just 11 seconds ahead of East London’s Craig Alers who took the runner-up spot, while Jared Salzwedel was awarded third in a time of 2:50:06.
“I am extremely happy to get the win, I have come so close in quite a few races this year, so to finally get the win was great,” said Gouveris.
“The whole plan for this race was to keep in touch of the leaders and get in the mix towards the end and then ride solo away to get the win, and that’s what happened, so it all went to plan.”
It was an exciting finish in the end with the top four cyclists over the line finishing within two minutes of each other, after they had separated themselves from the chasing pack in the final 8kms.
This after Jonas Schomburg, Salzwedel and Clinton Gravett had made the initial break in the race about 30kms in.
Gravett, who took the king of the mountains category, and Schomburg then dropped Salzwedel after the halfway mark before he fought back along with Gouveris and Alers.
The top four then dropped Gravett in the closing stages, before Gouveris and Alers moved just ahead.
Gouveris then made his move on the final climb to put enough space between himself and Alers to take a good win.
“It was really tough conditions out there, so I am very happy to finish second,” admitted Alers.
In the women’s division Dispatch Cycling darling Anriette Schoeman stormed to a fifth title in a row in a time of 2:58:27.
Schoeman, who has claimed six Daily Dispatch cycle titles since 2010, with only her runner-up finish in 2011 breaking her streak, was in a dominant mood as she crossed the line comfortably in first position.
“I am more relieved than anything, the conditions out there were miserable, but the guys were really pacing the race well and I had to dig deep at some stages.
“But I really enjoy this race and coming back each year to defend my title, I think when I am 80 they will need to have a wheelchair division,” Schoeman admitted with a laugh.
East London triathlon star Cindy Schwulst came in second, improving on her third-placed finish last year, ending in a time of 3:11:06, while exciting junior talent Elne Owen rounded out the podium in a time of 4:10:10.
In the early morning miserable weather did nothing to deter an impressive number of cyclists who braved the elements to take part in the 102km main event, 50km race and 19km family ride.
In the 50km race Benjiman Brown took first overall, Patrige Chimwendo second and Jason Burmeister third.
On the women’s side, top honours went to Eden Smith, with Carol Cloete second and Tarryn Delport third.
In the 19km ride the top three men were Caylem Essen, Keegan Lottering and Lourens Spies, while the first three women were Ashleigh Mayhead, Nadia van Zyl and Madison Mann.
Daily Dispatch marketing manager Ryan Megaw was most upbeat about the event.
“I would like to thank all the particpants who came out and braved the terrible weather,” Megaw said.
“You guys were an inspiration.
“I would like to thank all our sponsors – BCM and BCM Tourism, Just Property, Volvo, Refreshhh and Vodacom, a well as our other partners, East London Cycles, Buffs Club, Bate Chubb and Dickson and Amaqhawe Cycle Club.
“Without you guys, this event would not be possible.”
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