Former Springbok cyclist Mark Spencer soloed to victory in South Africa’s oldest one-day stage race, the 150km Bestmed Jock Classique, in Nelspruit today.
South African road champion in his age group Mark Spencer (striped jersey, centre) en route to winning the Bestmed Jock Classique in Mpumalanga on Saturday. Photo: Hendrik Wagener
Spencer, who is the current national road champion in the 40 to 44 age group, won two of the three stages en route to the overall title in 4:28:19.
The 43-year-old said he was delighted to be the first amateur to win the iconic Mpumalanga race.
South Africa’s top professional teams have opted to participate in the inaugural Jock Tour, a tough three-day event covering 299km added by organisers ASG.
Spencer said the one-day version was the perfect fitness test mid-way through the season.
“It’s such a great race for us. During the winter months there’s not really much on the calendar, so this is a good goal to train through the winter for.”
The Benoni resident said the start at the Mbombela Stadium had been exceptionally cold.
On the 42km opening stage to White River, the field quickly split on the first climb of the day at Heidel Eggs.
“About five kilometres before the finish, I put in a bit of an attack and five of us went away,” said Spencer, “and I was pipped at the post by Gareth Krisch.”
On the 45km second stage to Sabie, he said the field took a cautious approach on the big Spitskop ascent.
“I put the hammer down and split the field going up the climb and then I just time-trialed to the end.”
With Long Tom Pass looming on the 63km third stage, Spencer said a headwind had splintered the small lead group early on.
“Over the top I managed to keep rolling and on the downhill I just put my bike in its biggest gear and kept going alone right back to the finish at the stadium.”
He said he had won his national champion’s jersey in Nelspruit so he was familiar with the final climb.
In the women’s race, 20-year-old Heidi Dalton took her first major national win as an elite rider for Team Activate-Demacon in 4:48:56.
Dalton’s team went on the attack on the first climb of the day, allowing the Ballito-based rider to get away and take the stage win by two minutes.
“On the first stage I was away by myself for most of the stage, so that tired me out a bit. The team helped me so much over the last two stages,” she said.
Her teammate Lynette Burger claimed stages two and three.
“I came second on stage two and then fourth on the last – I’m done!” exclaimed Dalton.
“I’m not a pure climber so I knew the Jock was going to be tough for me but I have been working very hard, so I’m really happy with the win!”
Full results to be confirmed.
Find more news, results and photos of the Jock Cycle Classique.
