MTN-QHUBEKA TOUR DU MAROC UPDATE

MTN-QHUBEKA SCORES A WIN IN ACTION-PACKED TOUR DU MAROC STAGE 6

Stage 6: 136.5km Errachidia – Tinghir – 28 March 2012

Reinardt Janse van Rensburg continued MTN-Qhubeka’s winning streak by outsprinting Moroccan favourite Tarik Chaoufi and the 24 survivors in the front group at the sixth stage of the Tour du Maroc to take yet another stage win for the team. He also increased his lead in the points competition. Sadly, teammate Arran Brown was involved in a crash and fell out of contention for the stage podium, but he was thankfully unhurt and lives to fight another day.

Read more here..

ANOTHER 1-2 FINISH FOR TEAM MTN-QHUBEKA AT TOUR DU MAROC STAGE 5

Stage 5: 143km Midelt – Errachidia – 27 March 2012

MTN-Qhubeka claimed another two podium positions at the fifth stage of the Tour du Maroc on 25 March, with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg winning the stage and teammate Arran Brown finishing in second place.

Read more here..

Scorching Racing at SA Schools and Tandems TT Champs in Durban

Scorching heat and high humidity added to the challenges of the participants at today’s School and Tandem Time Trial on day two of the 2012 Time Freight SA Vets, Masters, Schools & Tandems Road and Time Trial Championships, that took place in Durban today (Friday). 

The young under-10 boys and girls were the first to tackle part of the 6.5km circuit, completing only 2km for their School Championship title and collecting points for their school.  Robert Luke Dungan took top honours in 3 minutes 33 seconds, beating Reece Sclanders by 0.03 seconds. Petrus Lourens came third in 03:46. Chante Olivier won the girls category in an impressive time of 03:37, with Kayleigh Moller second in 04:02 and Georgia Dungan third in 04:16.

The U12 boys and girls raced 4km, with Alexander Smith claiming the boys’ title in 06:26. Cameron Wright followed in 06:38 with Liam Abbott rounding out the podium positions. The girls’ race saw Hanje Nel take top honours in 06:21, with Nelize Van Aswegen second in 06:45 and Angelique Moller third in 06:55. 

The complete 6.5km circuit, from Athlone Drive to Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (old NMR Avenue), Argyle Road, M4 highway and back onto Athlone Drive, was utilised by the U14 competitors, with the girls racing 1 lap and the boys completing 2 laps.  Delia Retief won her category in 10:29, with Nicolene Marais second in 10:34 and Clarissa Liebenberg third in 11:08.

Enno Swanepoel won the U14 boys’ challenge in 18:26. Keanu Slinger was second fastest in 19:10 whilst Damean Oosthuizen came third in 20:01.

Then it was the turn of the hotly contested U16 age categories. Monique Gerber narrowly clamed victory by a mere 0.02 seconds over Michelle Benson over 13km (2 laps), with Rochelle van Eck finishing third in 21:58.  

The Port Elizabeth local said that the heat made conditions tough on the course: “The Time Trial was very nice - the weather was very hot and it was hard. I race quite a bit on the track as well, and enjoy the time trial. It was a bit different for me today though because we were not allowed to race with aero bars and disc wheels, so I had to use normal handlebars and wheels. I enjoy the flat course; there were some drags in between, but it was great.”

Joshua Buchel gave it everything he had on the 3-lap 19.5km course in the heat of the day, achieving top honours in 27:35, 14-seconds clear of Ivan Venter. Third place went to an ecstatic Keagan Girdlestone in 28:00. 

“It was very very hard and fast as well,” said the Johannesburg resident of his win. “It was the wind and the heat that were the main factors, with the wind hitting us from the side on the freeway (M4) and with the deep etched wheels, I really got pushed around. 

“After the first lap I realised that I was losing by 1-second, and I picked up the pace so that by the second lap I was winning by 11-seconds, and then on the last lap I managed to increase it to 14-seconds.”

Buchel’s victory in the tightly contested class that featured 36 entrants, is quite amazing considering his preparations leading up to the race. “This entire year I have only spent about a week on the bike, because I broke my collar bone in a crash at the start of the year, and I have a broken wrist at the moment – I broke it about a week ago.” 

After the pain and discomfort during the race, the victory can only taste sweeter.

The Tandem category was well supported with over ten teams racing for the national championship jersey. Open Tandem winners from Durban North Dean Mason and Gavin Castleman thoroughly enjoyed the race, completing their 4 laps in 34 minutes 42 seconds: “It has been really exciting because there hasn’t really been a handicap from an age point of view, and it was really great to be able to enter. The course was really lovely. Being from Durban, we train more or less on these roads. The Time Trial was brilliant, nice and flat, a bit windy on the freeway, but really great, and fantastic to have road closure.”

Patricia Barradas and Stephen Scheepers were victorious in the Mixed Tandem category, clocking 34:57 for their 4 laps. 

Tomorrow’s (Saturday) action takes place in Westville. Road racing cyclists will participate on a 14km circuit on the M13 freeway starting and finishing at Thekwini Toyota in the heart of Westville.  The course runs west-bound until the Dawncliff off ramp, where cyclists will turn and get onto the east-bound carriageway toward 45th Cutting, where they will turn once again to complete their loop back to Westville.  The Veteran and Masters Men and Women race on Saturday, and the Schools Boys and Girls and Tandem categories race on Sunday. 

LILL GETS TEAM BONITAS OFF TO PROMISING START IN EUROPE

Darren Lill, the 2011 South Africa road cycling champion, got Team Bonitas’ 2012 European campaign off to a promising start on Thursday when he collected two Sprint primes and a King of the Mountains prime while in a six rider break during Stage 1 of the Volta a Alentejo in Portugal.

The break was the dominant feature of the 165.8km opening Stage from Castelo de Vide to Redondo and reached a maximum advantage of two minutes and 25 seconds.  But with no Portuguese teams represented, it was never likely to stick and was reeled in with 23km remaining.

Unfortunately for Team Bonitas, a crash just before the final Category 3 climb put a damper on the end of the stage as HB Kruger and Herman Fouche went down and others, including Lill, were caught behind the crash, losing time on the leaders over the final climb and the last stretch to the finish.

Kruger was sent straight to hospital to have a broken, lacerated finger repaired, while Fouche was unharmed, but well off the back by the time he rejoined the race.

Argentinian sprinter, Jorge Montenegro, claimed the stage win in a bunch dash. He also secured the overall leader’s jersey by virtue of the 10-second winner’s time bonus. Hanco Kachelhoffer was Team Bonitas’ top placed finisher in 14th in the same group as the winner, putting him in a strong position (tie fourth) and the team’s top man going into Stage 2, 10 seconds behind the leader.

Lill actually has the same number of points as the King of the Mountain’s competition leader, Jose Mendes, but by virtue of a lower finishing position on the stage is currently placed second.

Johann Rabie, clearly one of the team’s most in-form riders following his two individual bronze medals and a team time trail gold medal at the recent national road champs, was unable to start. All the riders developed minor colds during the trip to Europe, but Rabie’s turned nasty and he’s on antibiotics and resting.

Friday’s Stage 2 over 191.3km from Portel to Santiago do Cacém is relatively flat with three Sprint primes and a Category 4 King of the Mountain prime at 153km.

“Despite the crash, the team’s morale is good. The negative of the crash seems more like fuel to a fire and the riders are really looking forward to the next few stages,” said team manager Barry Austin.

“We still have Hanco close on General Classification and have Darren sitting at the top in the King of the Mountains competition. The next few stages are quite flat, so anything can happen. We'll either try steal some seconds with Hanco and/or get Darren into a move for the KOM.

“Apart from that our sprinters, Tyler Day and Herman Fouche, are fine and up for the challenge. Should it come down to a bunch kick, they will be there for sure!”

"It's a very good, solid start. I'm proud of what the guys achieved today," said Malcolm Lange, of Lange Sports, the company that owns and manages Team Bonitas. "I've got a lot of confidence in the riders and in Barry's management ability. With HB and Johann out we're obviously a bit short on numbers, but in a good position with a lot of hunger for success."

Follow the team’s news and race updates live on twitter: @Team_Bonitas.

TOUR DU MAROC AND THEN ON TO EUROPE FOR MTN-QHUBEKA

Friday 23 March sees the start of the UCI 2.2 Tour du Maroc, a 10-day stage race that marks the start of a three-month period of racing abroad for the MTN-Qhubeka Men’s Road Team.

The 2012 team that will take on the North African race comprises Arran Brown, Brad Potgieter, Dennis van Niekerk, Martin Wesemann, Meron Russom and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg.

MTN-Qhubeka has had some success here before, in 2011 the team racked up 4 stage wins with Brown and Janse van Rensburg achieving three of them, the team also finished 2^nd and 5^th in the overall General Classification. This year, the men hope to improve on past results and cement MTN-Qhubeka’s positioning as the leading continental pro team. The Tour du Maroc also serves as preparation for a tough racing programme that will keep them away from home shores until 11 June. The 11-week schedule includes events in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg as well as a dual program in Africa with races in Eritrea and Gabon.

“Team MTN-Qhubeka is ready to take the next step and perform at the European races,” says Sports Director Jens Zemke. “We will start with a tough program of UCI 1.1 races like Pino Cerami on 5 April and Rund um Köln on Easter Monday directly after arriving from the Tour du Maroc.”

Zemke notes that it will take a few days for the riders to adapt to the colder climate and harder, longer and tougher races. “But I have no doubts that we will surprise competitors in some races,” he says. “The men have showed an amazing will to win and they have already won some important races for us.”

The first stage of the Tour du Maroc kicks off on Friday 23 March from Tangier to Tetouan and is 130km. The team arrived in Morocco on 21 March and the cyclists have been using the time to acclimatise and prepare for the 10 days of racing.

The Tour du Maroc stages are as follows:

·         Stage 1; Friday 23 March 2012: Tangier to Tetouan – 130km

·         Stage 2; Saturday 24 March: Ouezzane to Fez – 150km

·         Stage 3; Sunday 25 March: Fez to Khenifra – 152km

·         Stage 4; Monday 26 March: Khenifra to Midelt – 144km

·         Stage 5; Tuesday 27 March: Midelt to Errachidia – 126km

·         Stage 6; Wednesday 28 March: Errachidia to Tinerhir – 137km

·         Stage 7; Thursday 29 March: Tinerhir to Ouarzazate – 170km

·         Stage 8; Friday 30 March: Ouarzazate to Marrakech – 190km

·         Stage 9; Saturday 31 March: Marrakech to El Jadida – 179km

·         Stage 10; Sunday 1 April: El Jadida to Casablanca – 120km

The remaining program includes the following international events:

·         5 April; Grand Prix Pino Cerami UCI1.1 – Belgium

·         9 April; Rund um Koln UCI1.1 – Germany

·         21 April; Arno Wallard Memorial UCI1.2 – Netherlands

·         22 April; Ronde van Noord Holland UCI1.2 – Netherlands

·         24 – 29 April; La Tropical Amissa Bongo UCI2.1 – Gabon

·         25 April – 1 May; Tour of Bretagne UCI2.2 – France

·         4 – 5 May; Ronde van Overijssel UCI2.2 – Netherlands

·         6 May; Circuit de Wallonie UCI1.2 – Belgium

·         8 May; Challenge du Prince - Trophée Princier UCI1.2 – Morocco

·         9 May; Challenge du Prince - Trophée de l'Anniversaire UCI1.2 – Morocco

·         10 May; Challenge du Prince - Trophée de la Maison Royale UCI1.2 – Morocco

·         16 – 20 May; Fleche du Sud UCI2.2 – Luxembourg

·         26 – 28 May Tour de Gironde UCI2.2 – France

·         30 May 30 – 3 Jun; Tour of Eritrea UCI2.2 – Eritrea

·         10 June; Delta Zeeland UCI2.1 – Netherlands

“We are very excited to be putting together this European racing programme that also sticks to our team roots by including the races on the African continent,” says Team Principal Doug Ryder. “We are hoping to achieve as many UCI points as possible to qualify a rider to the London Olympic Games in August and many more riders to the World Championship in the Netherlands in September. Our team is ready for this challenge after a very successful start to the year in the local calendar, national championships and Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia.”

ENTHOVEN AND IMPEY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN EACH OTHER

Absa Cape Epic old-timers Adrian Enthoven (42) and Delaney Impey (39) will be riding the 2012 event under the team name JAG Craft in the Masters category. This year’s race, which takes place from 25 March to 1 April 2012, will once again take 1200 riders through some of the Western Cape’s most unspoilt territory. The race will kick-off with the prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville and will finish at the traditional Lourensford Wine Estate.

This will be the fifth Absa Cape Epic for Enthoven. He explains that the race is addictive. “It’s a phenomenal race and a big focus for me every year. I just can’t seem to get enough of it!”

Enthoven will be riding with Impey, who will be particpating in his third Absa Cape Epic. Says Enthoven: “Delaney and I are physically well matched and we share the same goals and ambitions for the race. Although we’ve only teamed up recently, we have developed trust and belief in one another.” Impey is also excited about the race but is aware of what a huge commitment it is. “It’s a fantastic race but requires a lot of personal sacrifice. This year, unlike other years I have really enjoyed the training leading up to the race itself. It’s important to enjoy the training and preparation before the big day,” adds Impey. “Also, I would not be doing the race this year unless I totally believed in the partnership and knew that it would be a successful one. Adrian and I are similar in many ways and no matter what is thrown at us, we’ll keep a level head and get on with the task at hand.”

Enthoven boasts a number of achievements to his name. He has entered 7 Absa Cape Epics, 5 of which he has completed. He came 2nd overall in 2010 and 3rd overall in 2011. In 2008 and 2009, Enthoven finished 11th and 12th overall in the Sani2C and 7th in the MTN Ultra Clarens race in 2011. Last year, with Shan Wilson, Enthoven finished 2nd in the Knysna Garden Route 300 and this year, were the overall winners with partner, Impey.

In terms of training, these two seldom train together but as Impey explains, they both have faith in one another when it comes to training individually. “We both prefer to mostly train alone and put in the time when it best suits our lifestyles and commitments. We both get on with the job at hand and have the confidence that the other is doing the same.”

Enthoven began his training last year November. “I try to ride 20 to 25 hours a week with one week around 30 hours. From the middle of January to now, I then moved to doing intervals and as much racing as possible while still keeping the hours up,” says Enthoven. Impey trains 6 times a week while following power specific workouts. He is coached by Shan Wilson, who will also be riding the Absa Cape Epic this year. “At the beginning of the season, my coach and I sat down and agreed to the goals for the year and this is the programme we stick to and review on an on-going basis.”

Both Impey and Enthoven’s diets consist of eating as healthily as possible with Impey’s having to be strict and managed leading up to the Absa Cape Epic.

Both riders are looking forward to the race this year. Adds Enthoven: “I’m looking forward to what I’m sure is yet another gem of a route by Leon Evans (aka Dr. Evil), and the great vibe that always accompanies this race.”

Impey enjoys spending his free time with his family and this year, he and Adrian will be looking for a good result in the Sani2C which occurs a few weeks after the Absa Cape Epic. Adds Enthoven: “We’re looking for a top 10 overall finish in the Sani2C. In my free time though, I like to take my wife out on a date, read to my children and get in as much sleeping as possible!”

With neither having injuries that could affect their performance at this year’s Absa Cape Epic, Enthoven and Impey are hoping for some podium finishes. Says Enthoven: “There’s a very strong Master’s field this year, so I think a category stage win for us will be difficult. However, I think we have a reasonable chance ending up on the podium if we remain consistent and avoid major mechanicals or crashes.”

With a strong head and a good partnership, Impey believes you can complete the Cape Epic while Enthoven adds that you need to believe in yourself and your ability. “We’re most limited by our minds, not our bodies,” says Enthoven.

Impey gives advice to other participants stating that one must enjoy training. “It’s important in making this event a memorable experience. Far too many people go into the Cape Epic either over trained or hating their bike before they’ve even started.” Along with this, Impey says honest communication and a partner with the same goals and aspirations are vital.

Enthoven concludes: “Always ride close together. Never ride off the front if you are the stronger rider – it is very demoralising for your partner. Also, take good care of your bum – riding a Cape Epic stage with an inflamed saddle sore is no fun! It is a very long race and there’s plenty of time to make up for the positions you’ve lost. Lastly, don’t take unnecessary risks. A good result at the Absa Cape Epic comes with a steady and consistent ride and few mistakes.”

Mountain biking enthusiasts not participating in the Absa Cape Epic are invited to enter the Vineyard Races, which consist of the Vineyard Ride and Vineyard Run, both sponsored by Cape Times. These races promise participants breathtaking scenery and spectacular mountain biking terrain. The Vineyard Run offers a fun run (6km) and a trail run (15km) and the Vineyard Ride offers a 27km and 50km race. Interested riders can register online at www.vineyard-races.co.za.

Lourensford Wine Estate will once again host the finish of the race and the Grand Finale celebrations on 1 April 2012. The Grand Finale will kick off with live entertainment by well-known South African band Freshlyground, a Farmer’s Market, delectable food and wine as well as glorious scenery. Vantage points will be accessible to the general public, so that all may have a piece of the mountain biking action. Entrance is free.

Third Test Jitters

New Zealand's nine-wicket loss to South Africa in the second test was a closer match than the result suggests and the hosts' captain Ross Taylor believes his team are not far away from being competitive in the third test in Wellington.

South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the series on the back of the victory at Seddon Park in Hamilton, which was cemented through superb fast bowling from their pace trio of Vernon Philander, who took 10 wickets, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

"The score reflected that we got pretty much thrashed ... but it was actually a lot closer than people give it credit for," Taylor told reporters on Thursday.

"We did have our moments in that game and if a couple of bounces of the ball go our way then it could have been a different story.

"We know that we're not far away from competing with this side. We've been on top in a few situations we just haven't been able to ram it home."

New Zealand had their moments in the second test. Taylor and Brendon McCullum had batted them into a strong position on day one and Mark Gillespie tore through the Proteas' batting on day two, but the hosts failed to capitalise.

Philander and Steyn took five wickets for no runs to ruin Taylor and McCullum's start, while South Africa's tail wagged furiously, contributing 165 runs for the final four wickets.

The key to winning the final test in Wellington, which starts on Friday, was someone scoring a big century and being backed up by two or three others, Taylor said.

"In test cricket ... three or four guys need to step up. I wouldn't put it down to one individual," Taylor said. "I think three or four very good individual performances will put us into this game."

BOWLING PRESSURE

South Africa captain Graeme Smith agreed that the efforts of his bowlers in the second test had helped them to victory and his message to them for the final match at the Basin Reserve would be to build on their performances.

"The guys have shown great discipline," Smith said. "It's a sign of maturity in the way that they are thinking and the way that they are executing their plans.

"There has also been great aggression thrown in there. I don't think it will be any different this game (and) you've got to build on that."

The notoriously fickle Wellington weather is expected to be a factor, with rain forecast for each of the first four days of the match.

The wicket block, which had been under covers since last Sunday after a storm swept across New Zealand earlier this week, was markedly green when curator Brett Sipthorpe took the covers off for inspection by both teams on Thursday.

New Zealand are expected to go into the match with just three pace bowlers, having selected four for their last four tests, to accommodate an extra batsman with Dean Brownlie likely to slot into number six after returning from a broken finger.

The biggest question mark for the home side is whether the recalled Daniel Flynn will open the innings, or McCullum will move up to resume his partnership with Martin Guptill.

Smith said he doubted their plans would be any different no matter the composition of the New Zealand side and he was looking for a good performance to set the team up for their tour of England that begins in July.

"We've played really well on this tour in all formats and we would like to round that off with a comprehensive performance in the next five days.

"We want to finish strong and hopefully get on the plane with a big smile on our face."