National Junior Tour champions crowned
The TRAC N4 National Junior, Under 16 and Under 23 Tour saw the cream of South Africa’s young cycling crop battle it out for honours in a taxing 470 kilometre four day road race in Nelspruit from 21-24 March.
The Tour, which attracted 140 cyclists from South Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Egypt and Namibia, is officially the largest stage tour in the country. The event is also considered to be the top junior cycle tour on the African continent.
After a gruelling fourth stage, Heidi Dalton, Enno Swanepoel, Kent Main and Till Drobisch emerged victorious in the respective categories and were crowned National Tour Champions at TRAC’s Regional Offices in the Mpumalanga capital on Sunday.
The shining star of the tour was undoubtedly Heidi Dalton, who won all four stages of the ladies’ race to clinch her third National Tour title in a row after winning the junior race last year and the U/16 title in 2011.
The 18 year old again outlined her credentials as the best young lady cyclist in South Africa following 2012 where she won all twelve junior events. She is expected to be part of the South African squads that will travel to the UCI Nations Cup in Europe and the World Championships in Italy in September.
“Hard work and dedication is the key to my success. I really enjoy stage racing and this tour had something to offer for everyone, from sprinters and climbers to criterium specialists. This year we rode with the men which brought out the best in me,” she said.
Dalton has set her sights on participation the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Enno Swanepoel won the U/16 men’s title after sealing both the overall points and Young Rider jerseys.
Kent Main came out tops in a talented junior men’s field which included South African Junior Road Championship victor Jevandre Pauls. This is despite Pauls pipping Main to the line in a ding-dong battle for the fourth stage win.
Main will also be a favourite for inclusion in the South African squads competing in the UCI Nations Cup and the World Championships.
“The race was extremely mentally challenging, particularly on the first stage in Schoemanskloof,” said Main, “but I really enjoyed it and this is the biggest opportunity someone of my age can have to make a name for themselves in South African cycling, so I’m very happy I made the most of it.”
The U/23 men’s race, also packed with talent in the form of Willie Smit, JC Nel and Calvin Benecker- son of the legendary Gary Beneker- was won by Namibian rider Till Drobisch. Beneker finished the tour in third place while Lydenburg rider Willie Smit took second.
As a result of their performances, Beneker and Smit have significantly boosted their chances of heading to Europe.
Tour Director Gavin Cocks said that the race had been a major success.
“We had no hitches throughout the four days of racing, and all the teams I spoke to said that, although the race was extremely challenging, they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves,” said Cocks.
He also praised the work of tour sponsors and organisers, TRAC.
“TRAC have done a fantastic job of raising the quality of the tour. They have gone to great lengths to make the race as safe as possible,” he said.
“The race gives these young riders their first taste of stage racing and has attracted the country’s elite junior cyclists. It is really the number one breeding ground for South Africa’s future cycling stars,” Cocks added. – The Write News Agency