MTN-Qhubeka wrapped up a stellar season with a nail-biting single-second victory in the Coronation Double Century on Saturday.
Team Velocity Sports Lab 1 grabbed the coveted title in the women’s category at the Coronation Double Century.
Africa’s Team completed the 202km team road race through the Overberg region in 5:05:41 – just 1.4 seconds faster than runners-up Tag Heuer Spartens by Harris.
For more news see: Coronation Double Century
Defending champions Giant Durbanville rounded out the podium in 5:14:07.
MTN-Qhubeka rider Songezo Jim said it was great to race a different route from the European races that had dominated their calendar this year.
“At the first time check we were five minutes behind, and by the second time check, we had taken four minutes back again and were riding quite hard.
“We took the final 59 seconds back as we were coming into the finish line.”
More than 3 000 riders, making up 257 teams, took part in the 23rd edition of the race, which took place in cool and rainy conditions.
The women’s race was won by Velocity Sports Lab 1 in a time of 6:25:51.
Team Novas Ladies finished a full seven minutes later, with the winners’ Velocity Sports Lab 2 teammates joining them on the bottom step of the podium.
Winning captain Miriam Stronkhorst said it was a tough ride but that they had worked together as a team.
“We stuck to our strategy and went flat out from beginning to end. We had a great mix of older, experienced riders and new, young riders who were strong climbers.
“We also had a couple of triathletes who were brilliant on the flats.”
Complete Cyclist took the mixed category win in 5:32:01, with the My Training Day and Hotchillee teams finishing second and third respectively.
