South African cycling legend David George said his choice of bike was vital to securing victory in the 161km Amarider 100Miler in Malmesbury, Western Cape, on Saturday.
George, 42, won the overall Giro del Capo title multiple times between 2002 and 2010, claimed a silver medal in the 2006 Commonwealth Games road race and was crowned national road-race and time-trial champion a number of times between 2001 and 2007.
David George in action at the Swartberg 100 Gran Fondo a couple of weeks ago. Photo: JMMPentax
Despite the silverware behind his name George, who now owns a bicycle shop, said he did not take part in the Amarider purely to win.
“I enjoyed the race, but my reason to ride is not necessarily to win anymore.
“We have just launched a new gravel bike and I really enjoyed that style of riding where there is no suspension – you just get on and ride.
“It is kind of a hybrid between mountain and road bikes.”
George, who beat the well-respected HB Kruger into second, said the course conditions might have suited the bike.
“In fairness I think the course probably favoured the gravel bikes,” he said. “But it was a bit disjointed, because in some areas the mountain-bikes were a lot quicker.”
He said 26-year-old Kruger got away on the first technical climb. “HB rode fast on the descent, where I lost about 30 to 40 seconds on him.
“I stayed with James Tennant for about 30km, but then eventually he blew. I just kept my rhythm and I was eventually able to see HB getting closer.
“I managed to catch him through the one feed and we rode together for a bit and that is when I discovered the gravel bike was a lot faster on the long and smooth dirt roads.”
He said at his age he was not able to attack “like I did when I was in my twenties”, but his bike gave him the advantage after Kruger got away again.
“I just rode at my own tempo, because I was a bit unequipped to attack. Those days are gone.
“On the last long gradual climb my eight kilogram gravel bike versus HB’s 12kg mountain-bike was a fair advantage.
“I used that advantage and managed to ride away from him and finish on my own.”
George, who recently also competed in the Swartberg 100 Gran Fondo and sani2c, said it was important to have a few races under the belt to “rev my engine”.
“The older you get, the more times you have to rev your engine to get started,” he said. So he was well prepared for the race.
“Equipment choice plays a big role in the 100Miler, especially in beating the youngsters. Effort on effort and if everyone used the same bikes, I am not sure whether the results would have been the same.
“It was just really nice to get out and race. I am enjoying the headspace I am in at the moment.”
