Stefan de Bod made Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge history when he became the youngest rider to win the Gauteng race on Sunday.
(From left) Orica-GreenEDGE’s Daryl Impey, who came in at a well-fought third place, chats with MTN-Qhubeka Feeder Team’s Stefan de Bod (first) and Clint Hendriks (second) to MC Paul Valstar after the 2015 Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge Elite Men’s race in Gauteng on Sunday 15 November.
First-year elite rider De Bod was just days from his 19th birthday when he entered the record books with his victory.
For more news, results and photos see: 947 Cycle Challenge
His MTN-Qhubeka teammate Clint Hendricks came in second, with Orica-GreenEdge’s Daryl Impey third.
De Bod said it was the biggest win of his career to date but that it was also tinged with sadness as the future of the team was uncertain due to the title sponsor’s withdrawal.
“This is the last race in the Feeder Team for now – no one has contracts for a bigger team next year.”
He said the team had executed their racing strategy perfectly, which included his making a break in the final 3km.
Hendricks added that this race had been a major goal for the team.
“We looked at the course in every single bit of detail and decided on where we were going to attack and Stefan planned it to perfection.
“For me it was to follow the counter. Luckily I had the legs to do that and it was fantastic that we took the victory!”??
Impey praised De Bod’s efforts, saying the standard of local racing had improved.
“Next year, I hope that the sponsors do come to the party because it would be a shame if the younger guys don’t get the opportunity to have that bridge to Europe.”
