James Tennent believes it was his hunger for racing that set him apart when he took the win in the Makro Bestmed Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth last month.
James Tennent. Photo: www.twitter.com / @jamesrtennent
After what felt like a long winter hibernation, Tennent said he had been champing at the bit to break the racing fast in what is traditionally one of the first spring classics.
And break it he did, devouring both king of the mountains titles en route to the overall win.
“The only sections of the 90km course that really favoured me were the climbs,” said Tennant.
“I made my winning move on the final kilometre of the Seaview climb before the second KOM. From there, I literally had to time-trial the few remaining kilometres to the finish.”
The 25-year-old climber was forced to attack veteran sprinter Francois Geldenhuys on that last ascent, where he managed to gain a small gap.
“With Francois being on great form (having just returned from the vets world champs), I knew I wouldn’t be able to beat him in a one-on-one sprint.”
Tennant, who rides for Team Giant-CVT, said he just put his head down and hammered at the pedals to hold the Bestmed-Shukuma Madibaz rider at bay and take his first win in the event by 20 seconds.
His teammate Evan Carstens rounded out the podium.
Tennant said any one of his four squad members – Carstens, Clinton Barrow, Chris Cronje or David Garrett – could have taken the laurels on the day.
“They all raced aggressively and anyone could have been in the decisive move that stayed away. Evan, Clinton and myself were just in the right place at the right time.”
After that first successful move, which came about an hour into the race, Tennent attacked his breakaway companions to solo over the top of the first major climb at Maitlands.
His attack plus the wind coming in off the sea effectively splintered the leaders, leaving just himself, Geldenhuys, Carstens and Conrad Viljoen to race for the victory.
“I was very happy with the win, although I didn’t feel it was secure until about 100m to go.”
The Western Province road race champion said his victory built nicely on some good early season form.
“I’ve always enjoyed training over December and January when the weather is good. It’s the perfect time to rise early and put quality hours in the saddle, building the form nicely for the big races in February and March.”
The Capetonian certainly impressed at the Bestmed Tour de Boland in March when he flew up Franschhoek Pass behind Darren Lill to podium in the final hilltop stage.
At the end of May, he won stage two of the Tour of Mauritius and briefly held the yellow and polka dot jerseys before finishing second overall.
Scottish-born Tennent is clearly at home as a tour rider, having won the queen stage in the Tour of Rwanda for former team MTN-Qhubeka back in 2011.
However, the dearth of stage racing opportunities locally has seen him turn his attentions to the classics circuit.
“We’ll now be kept busy with the smaller races at home in Cape Town.
“I really want to excel in the remaining one-day classics such as the Amashova Durban Classic, 94.7 Momentum Cycle Challenge and Die Burger PPA Cycle Tour at home.”
