Declan Sidey and Shaun-Nick Bester crossed the finish line in first place on the neutral stage of joBerg2c at Frankfort Sports Grounds today.
The Silverback-Best4Sports-Mad Macs pair finished in a time of 4:32:38. Nad Pro MTB’s Gawie Combrinck and Nico Bell were the second team home after finishing in 4:32:41.
Third over the line were Old Mutual Insure-Norco-Northcliff Cycles’ Jaco Cronje and Alex Pavlov who finished in 4:32:40.
Declan Sidey, seen here during this year’s PE Plett, and teammate Shaun-Nick Bester finished first on the neutral stage of joberg2c at the Frankfort Sports Grounds today. Photo: Shaun Pearce Photography
“The weather was nice today and we enjoyed the route,” said Sidey.
“With it being neutral it was a good opportunity to catch up with some old friends, enjoy the waterpoints and just have a relaxed atmosphere as we ease into the event.”
Bester and Sidey are newcomers to this nine-day stage race. “We have a distinct disadvantage, but we will make the most out of our exhuberance of being first time riders,” said Sidey.
He added that they had a few difficult weeks after winning the PE Plett men’s team race last month, but that things were going better now.
“It looks like we are both in very similar and good shape. We’re optimistic for the remainer of the race,” said Sidey.
The pair’s objective is to go for the overall win and Sidey said they will play it safe during the first few stages.
“Gawie has won the race three times, so he knows how to win it and Nad Pro MTB are the favourites here. We will keep an eye on them, but other than that we will look for some stage wins and make sure we don’t concede any time before the second half of the race,” said Sidey.
The mixed team race was won by Darren and Candice Lill, who crossed the finish line in 4:39:01.
