Lindani Shusha and Hayley Smith produced dominant performances to take the men’s and women’s titles respectively in the Bestmed Wild Coast Sun MTB Classic near Port Edward today.
Winner Lindani Shusha, of Port Shepstone, leads the bunch at the start of the 40km race in the Bestmed Wild Coast Sun MTB Classic near Port Edward in KwaZulu-Natal today. Photo: Julian Carelsen
The 21-year-old Shusha, from Port Shepstone, led from start to finish to win the men’s 40km title in 1:48:00, crossing the finish line at the Wild Coast Sun hotel ahead of Wayne Tarr (1:53:11) and Nduduzo Ndlovu (1:59:21).
Shusha, who came fourth in last year’s event, said he was delighted to come home first on this occasion.
“I managed to build a small lead and was able stay in front throughout the race,” he said.
“I felt I was able to handle the uphills and I still felt quite strong at the end.”
Hayley Smith, of Durban North, took the honours in the women’s 40km race in the Bestmed Wild Coast Sun MTB Classic near Port Edward in KwaZulu-Natal today. Photo: Julian Carelsen
The 23-year-old Smith, who lives in Durban North and is sponsored by Bell Equipment, said she had set her goal on claiming top spot in the women’s 40km.
She finished in 2:04:26, ahead of Debrah Thomas (2:10:29) and Jill Lynch (2:31:14).
Smith also got away early on and initially rode with the leading men’s bunch.
“After about 5km they left me behind and I rode with another guy for quite a while before dropping him at around the halfway mark. From then I was on my own so it was quite comfortable in the end.”
She had plenty of praise for the organisers, saying it had been “an awesome experience”.
Honours in the men’s 20km race went to 13-year-old Nicholas de Bruin, who came home in 1:12:48. The women’s title was won by Zinnia Freitas, who finished in 1:38:00.
