Hard work paid off for Martin van Wyk when he took the victory in the men’s 45-49 match sprint during the SA National Track Championships in the Western Cape yesterday.
The men’s 45-49 match sprint podium: Martin van Wyk in first, Kurt Begemann in second and Hansie Joubert in third, at the 2017 SA National Track Championships. Photo: DoubleST
“I had my teammate Moses Venceslau who went through to the semi-finals against Kurt Begemann,” said Van Wyk.
“I was hoping that Moses could win so I would go against him in the finals but Kurt got one over Moses.”
It was between him and Hansie Joubert in the semi-finals, with Van Wyk then beating Joubert to go through to the final with Begemann.
“He’s just finished the Cape Epic, but surprisingly very quick for somebody who’s just done so,” said van Wyk.
When asked about his final rides, Van Wyk said that with the first ride he had it from the front and held him off to the line and in the second ride Begemann caught him with a lap and a half to go and he hesitated.
“I was over-confident and thought I could easily ride it back but it didn’t happen. We then went off to the third ride an I did it aggressively from the front, which obviously paid off.”
Amanda Wray claimed the women’s 40-44 2 000m individual pursuit title.
“It’s always very humbling to come here – there are so many people that you see and friendships that are established,” said Wray.
In the youth categories sisters Kita and Kyla Uys took the time trial wins in the U13 and U11 groups respectively, as well as in their individual pursuit rides.
Ethan Kulsen won the U13 boys title in the individual pursuit, 1 500m and time trial events, taking the victory over teammate and friend Zakariyaa Martin.
“It was hard,” said Kulsen.
“I actually wanted my friend to attack but he slowed down so we managed to catch him. Close to the end we had a sprint, and I came over Zacky.”
