SA Road Champs: Photo Epic and Race Recap

4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network

Midvaal Municipality hosted the 2024 South African Road Championships over four days from the first to the fourth of February. Dino Lloyd was on the scene to capture the drama and action.

Just shy of forty km South of Johannesburg, Cafe du Cirque served as the race venue, a popular start and post-ride venue for road, gravel and mountain bike rides throughout the year, making it a perfect venue with a socially collegial atmosphere and scaleable infrastructure. With a three-year deal signed, Cycling South Africa (CSA) and it’s partners can leverage a good event. Maybe even a “Super SA Champs” covering several codes.

4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
A clearly pleased Ryan Gibbons arms raised in victory. We can’t wait to see his Trek Lidl kit in a Saffa rendition at the World Tour, hopefully in time for Tour de la Provence.

SA Road Champs covers over 50 national titles over various age groupers, genders and para-athletes in individual time trial and road race events. The headliners are the Elite/U23 Men and Women Road Race events, however. A relatively flat start route with some rolling hills took riders on several laps before heading into Suikerbosrand Reserve for a loop.

4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Down to the line, Carla Oberholzer and Hayley Preen sprinted it out with Oberholzer just claiming the win and Preen in second.

It was in Suikerbosrand that the deciding factor played out among the longer climbs and descents in the heat. Any attacks on the early stages of the lap circuit contributed to fireworks once inside the cauldron of Suikerbosrand. This played out the same for both the men’s and women’s races, albeit under different dynamics.

4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Sequencing what was likely the most compelling sprint battle of the championships. Jaedon Terlouw (Pyga Eurosteel) and Travis Stedman (Q36.5) locked all in for the U23 title. Terlouw takes it on the line, bringing up the background is Alan Hatherly (Cannondale Factory Racing) Reinardt Nanse van Rensburg (China Glory) Mark Pritzen (Honeycomb) followed by third placed U23 Pedri Crause (Fundacion/Ciclismo/Benicadell)

The 138km women’s race played out almost completely to Sandton City/Cycle Nation’s game plan, keeping Carla Oberholzer and Jo van der Winkel fresh until the decisive reserve loop. While teammates Lisa Bone and Lexi Claasen covered any attacks that broke away. Oberholzer and Hayley Preen (Freewheel Cyclology) powered through the reserve exit, staying together for a dramatic sprint finish with Oberholzer taking the win and Preen in second. A tenacious S’annara Grove followed through shortly in third. Unfortunately, a crash into steel barriers early on in the race took out a number of riders with injuries, namely Melissa Kretzinger (Customised/Pirtek) and Madelaine le Roux (Zwift Academy).

4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Junior Men en masse through feed zone 1.

In the men’s 182km race, similar tactics played out but with a more drawn-out race to the finish and no serious race incidents. Tristan Nortje launched a big pull off one of the earlier attacks and had an extended lead within the reserve loop. World Tour experience however saw Ryan Gibbons close down the gap to Nortje and pull ahead. The final finish with approximate two-minute splits, Ryan Gibbons, Tristan Norte and Morne van Niekerk. While the chase group containing Jaedon Terlouw and Travis Stedman locked in a sprint battle for the U23 title took fourth and fifth respectively.

4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
A salted third placed S’annara Grove showing just how the temps peaked.

Both fields had a quality level of riders in attendance, former champions, world tour pros and continental riders competed. With mountain bikers in the both the men and women providing enough protagonists to keep our drop bar brethren on their toes. Alan Hatherly (second ITT), Tristan Nortje (second road race), Jaedon Terlouw (SA Champ road race), Nico Bell, Phillip Buys, Sarah Hill, Hayley Preen (SA Champ ITT/second road race) and Tiffany Keep.

4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
The main bunch of Elite/U23 women.

CSA and the hosts of Midvaal Municipality delivered a successful event on the day. There was a passion and buzz among all who attended and the event provided a high level of racing entertainment. | Full Results here

Race Gallery

4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Dont look back, Veteran ladies eventual Ansonia van Velden during a breakaway.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
An early break on the opening laps passes feed zone 1, Elite/U23 Women
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
The Elite/U23 Women main bunch move through feed zone 1.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
All smiles in feed zone 2 before the fireworks in Suikerbosrand Reserve. From left Team Copyster, Sandton City/Cycle Nation’s Lisa Bone and Lexi Claasen with Complete Cyclist’s Ricci-Lee Brookstone.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Exiting Suikerbosrand. It can be lonely in dead space of heat and tar, Iva Dyasi (Velokhaya) had put heart and soul all out there.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Tiffany Keep (Hutchinson Brother UK) and Bridget Theunisen (TriFactri) had a strong race to finish 6th and 7th respectively.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Sarah Hill (Complete Cyclist/SheUntamed) came down hard during a crash early on in the race but managed continue. Coming into her own again during the loop of Suikerbosrand and rejoining team mate Ricci-Lee Brookstone. They rode together to a solid 11th and 12th respectively.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Emotional celebrations for Oberholzer’s second national title with fellow champion and Olympian Cherise Willeit.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Morne van Niekerk (St Michel/Mavic/Auber93) in third for the bronze.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Tristan Nortje (Honeycomb Racing) rolls across the line in second.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
An overjoyed Carla Oberholzer celebrates her second national title with family. Being a mother, wife and business owner in addition to elite racing locally and abroad, speaks volumes.
4 februARY 2024 - GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA | results and action images from the 2024 south african road cycling championships held in midvaal as published on bike network
Ryan Gibbons greets cheering fans as he rolls across the finish line for a confident win.

Chapeau to all involved.

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