South Africa’s Deno van Heerden clinched the gold medal in the men’s 35-39 road race at the 2016 World Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth this month.
Over 130 riders competed in this category, with Van Heerden winning in a time of 4:11:56.
“It took a lot of positive thinking. I wanted to be as competitive as I could be going into Worlds.
Gwyn Pine claimed the silver medal in the men’s 50-54 category in the time-trial at the 2016 World Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth this month. Photo: Supplied
“Everything seemed to just come together on the day. I rode smartly and my legs felt good,” said Van Heerden.
Thys Oosthuizen delivered an outstanding performance to miss the bronze medal by eight seconds in the men’s 40-44 road race.
The women’s 55-59 road race saw Gilliane Toozs-Hobson finish in sixth place.
In the time-trial, Gwyn Pine claimed the silver medal in the men’s 50-54 category.
Pine took part in the World Championships in Slovenia two years ago and missed out on the bronze medal by 12 seconds.
Alex Pavlov finished sixth in the men’s 19-34 category out of a strong field of 87 riders, while Van Heerden also finished sixth, in the men’s 35-59 category.
Other top 10 finishers were Kent Kirwood (seventh in the men’s 40-44), Paul Furbank (fifth in the men’s 60-64) and Jill Edwards (fifth in the women’s 60-64).
