As we all know there's always favorites for the event. Burry Stander, Yolande Speedy, James Reid, Candice Neethling and Luke Roberts but no one mentioned Brendon Davids of Team Jeep as also one of the favorites. The first battle was on between and Davids and Roberts, this is surely one to watch out for and I was sure that Davids can take the win on the day. As for Brendon, you can see the grind on his teeth as he was coming at a very fast pace through the Start/Finish line and all he left was dust as he was riding down that short downhill. For me this was surely more than interesting to watch. Everyone was asking "what happened to Luke Roberts?" I knew at that moment people was starting to wonder if Roberts will take the win or not. Brendon was focused out on the course and it didn't even looked like he's tired at all. With the UCI who made the course tougher for the competitors, it surely an easy one as it was a dry, sandy and rocky course with a steep climb the riders had to face. The most difficult thing for the riders on the day was if they had any mechanical issues they couldn't get any help outside the Technical Zone and it surely didn't make things much easier for the riders as they lost time on the other riders. While I was waiting on confirmation of Brendon, I knew he won. Brendon won with a time of 1:22:02 with Luke Roberts taking 3rd with a time of 1:24:53 with 5 laps of racing in the Junior cat.
With the sun showing its face and the blue open skies with a few clouds, the heat on the day was unbelievable and riders out on the course suffered. Everyone seemed to try find a shade in the forest next to the Start/Finish line but was surely not very comfortable to sit there and miss out on the racing. The worst thing is there's no phone signals so when you try to avoid not get cut from the line while taking to the person on the other side, they'll surely think you're being rude or something. While I was chilling, I walked into my friend Renthea Boshoff who also rode in the Junior Women cat and I was stoked to see her. Most of my friends told me how stressed they are for the racing and some of them didn't even had a chance to really train on the course a couple of days before the race and they keep in mind of their tactics to insure them a good position at the end of the day. With racing going on since 7 am the morning and there wasn't much of parking space left, you saw vehicles everywhere and riders doing their warm up for the race and getting ready themselves ready to prepare their minds for the race. With spectators everywhere, the vibe at Jonkershoek was something that I can't simply describe to anyone. With family, friends and teammates supporting them and pushing them to go on even if their bodies are screaming of pain. With a few accidents that happened out on the course, the ambulances of Tygervalley Hospital was on standby to take the riders to Stellenbosch Medi Clinic. Famous sports doctor Jeroen Swarts was also on standby to help the riders and giving the support they need.
While I was waiting for Ryan Ellis of Team Jeep to arrive, I was chased away from my seat under a tree in front of the coffee shop because its only for riders etc and I thought by myself but hell I'm Ryan's Support Rider so they can't say I'm not part of the African Champs. As Ryan arrived, it was time to chill for while before having our practice session to pass bottles just to make sure there won't happen something causing some problems in the end. Time was running out and it was time to get the wheels, backpack and cool bag ready to head off to the Feed/Technical Zone up at the top of the climb. The worst part is that there was being said that there was a vehicle taking up people up there but in my case I had to walk up with 2 spare wheels, a backpack and a cool bag containing Ryan's water bottles etc.While Ryan is giving me some instructions on what to do, I had to focus and remember to give 2 bottles of energy drinks, a water bottle, 2 energy drinks and a bottle of water. At that moment I clearly forgot to take food + drinks with me with me but in my case I had to find way to spot Ryan to pass on the bottles but you really need to focus and remember what you did during the practice session otherwise it can cost Ryan's time. With me shaking of being nervous, Ryan was surely impressed with my job so far.
With everyone shouting at their riders, I had to focus on Ryan and insure that not one bottles falls when passing it to him. I had to calm myself down and say everything will be good just focus. First lap done, Ryan was happy to see the progress and I was supporting him all the way. With riders dropping out like flies, I knew Ryan had a good chance of getting a good position. Sadly Ryan crashed twice and it cost some of his time but he kept on going. With my family down at the Start/Finish line, they kept cheering on Ryan.
With drama happening at the Feed/Technical Zone, most guys had punctures or others had problems with a broken derailleur that broke off, it surely didn't stop this guy from keep on riding. With the heat getting worse by the hour, there was no shade to stand and if you get one, the UCI guys will surely have something to say and I didn't want Ryan to be disqualified for nothing so I kept on doing my job. With Ryan doing 6 laps as he's racing U23, he kept on riding at a good pace and with Brendon standing under the gazebo of BMC and Evan standing on the other side of the road in the forest. I was most likely looking for a guy with a red Specialized helmet with a team jeep shorts. Trust me with all those people up there, you had to keep on a close eye on the riders passing by and with people standing in your way it didn't make it any easier.
I must admit this was the first time for me to experience something like this as it not always happening in our area. I met so many new people and made new friends in the process.
With Burry Stander of Team Specialized riding up a storm, I was supporting from Erik Kleinhans to who's who of cycling. I was starting to count down Ryan's laps and I simply got confused at some point. As Ryan took all his bottles without one dropping, it was a success and now it time for me heading back to the finish line. But while I was getting the things packed to head back, I received news that Ryan got 5th position and the best part he qualified to go to the World Cup.
Ryan Ellis cruising through the finish line after over an hour of tough racing!
While I was asking around for a lift back, I had to walk with all the things down a downhill. Thanks to Team MTN Qhubeka and Nicole Allan, they was friendly enough to give me a lift. Just would like to thank them. While James Reid won the U23 in a time of 1:36:33, Ryan received 9th place in a time of 1:46.34. Top 6 for Ryan Ellis and Team Jeep.
Burry Stander took the win in the Men's Elite while Yolande Speedy took the win in the Elite Women, Brendon David took Junior Men, Ashleigh Parker took Junior Ladies, Candice Neethling took U23 Ladies, James Reid took U23 Men.
All the categories winners!
U23 Ladies podium finishers!
Elite Men podium finishers!
Elite Women podium finishers!
I would like to thank Ryan Ellis for this most amazing opportunity and well done to Team Jeep with their great results.
Hope you guys will enjoy reading my behind the stories of the African Champs 2011
Next up I'll get myself prepared to start racing again and I'll update everyone on how the progress are going so far.
Till next time!
Cheers
Yolande
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