2013 Daily Dispatch Spar Cycle Tour champion Jevandre Pauls will not be competing in the event for the second year in a row due to team commitments with his professional cycling outfit team Bonitas.
Last year East London’s Pauls was unable to defend his title as he had to ride with his team in the Dischem Ride for Site Cycle in Johannesburg and this year he will be racing at the Carnival City 160km event.
Pauls was disappointed to be missing the Dispatch race again, but admitted the team came first and he was raring to go for the Carnival City race.
“I love the Dispatch cycle race as it is a very fair course,” said Pauls.
“It’s uphill, it’s flat, you have to be a part of the race the whole time and be very watchful of your fellow riders. If you miss the move then you have missed it and you can’t get back.
“I really wanted to race this year, but the team comes first and we will be going all out for the win in Carnival City,” said Pauls.
Pauls, one of the best local riders to have come out of East London in years, has suffered two career-threatening crashes since turning professional in 2013.
However, he recovered fully from both. He returned to his team late last year after the latest incident and is well on his way to being back to his dominant best.
In the 2013 Dispatch cycle race Pauls was not the favourite, with impressive cyclists such as 2012 and 2014 champion Clinton Barrow and former SA Olympian and Tour de France cyclist John-Lee Augustyn in the imposing lineup.
However, with Barrow suffering a puncture and Pauls timing his charge to perfection, he claimed the win.
“I came into the race as the underdog and that was very good for me that year as there were some really top guys cycling.”
However, Pauls is keen to return and compete in the event and believes he will be able to take part in next year’s race.
“Next year I will definitely be back and hopefully I can win it again,” said Pauls.
This year’s event gets under way on Saturday with the Spar Kiddies Mini Tour pedalled for CHOC taking place in the afternoon.
Sunday sees the flagship 100km Tour race take centre-stage, with the shorter but more exciting 46km race and the family orientated 16km ride taking place as well.
Jevandre leaves way open for new Tour champ – again
Last year East London’s Pauls was unable to defend his title as he had to ride with his team in the Dischem Ride for Site Cycle in Johannesburg and this year he will be racing at the Carnival City 160km event.
Pauls was disappointed to be missing the Dispatch race again, but admitted the team came first and he was raring to go for the Carnival City race.
“I love the Dispatch cycle race as it is a very fair course,” said Pauls.
“It’s uphill, it’s flat, you have to be a part of the race the whole time and be very watchful of your fellow riders. If you miss the move then you have missed it and you can’t get back.
“I really wanted to race this year, but the team comes first and we will be going all out for the win in Carnival City,” said Pauls.
Pauls, one of the best local riders to have come out of East London in years, has suffered two career-threatening crashes since turning professional in 2013.
However, he recovered fully from both. He returned to his team late last year after the latest incident and is well on his way to being back to his dominant best.
In the 2013 Dispatch cycle race Pauls was not the favourite, with impressive cyclists such as 2012 and 2014 champion Clinton Barrow and former SA Olympian and Tour de France cyclist John-Lee Augustyn in the imposing lineup.
However, with Barrow suffering a puncture and Pauls timing his charge to perfection, he claimed the win.
“I came into the race as the underdog and that was very good for me that year as there were some really top guys cycling.”
However, Pauls is keen to return and compete in the event and believes he will be able to take part in next year’s race.
“Next year I will definitely be back and hopefully I can win it again,” said Pauls.
This year’s event gets under way on Saturday with the Spar Kiddies Mini Tour pedalled for CHOC taking place in the afternoon.
Sunday sees the flagship 100km Tour race take centre-stage, with the shorter but more exciting 46km race and the family orientated 16km ride taking place as well.
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