Support SA Talent brand ambassador and ProTouch rider Myles van Musschenbroek has emphasised the importance of the Road Cycling Series in South Africa.
The inaugural series was launched by Support SA Talent at the beginning of the year and comprises all the country’s top road races. It ranks cyclists using a points system based on their positions in the various races.
“The Road Cycling Series is definitely something we need in South Africa,” Van Musschenbroek said. “It is able to recognise the talent pool that the country has and it gives brands the opportunity to invest into the sport long-term.
“It also gives more exposure to the brands currently invested in the sport. It will create a broader fan following and generate more interest.”
Pro riders in action during the Tour Durban earlier this month. Photo: Anthony Grote
The rankings system was valid, Van Musschenbroek said. “We use the UCI points system, which is universally accepted. Basing our points system on that definitely makes it credible.
“Bear in mind though that this is the first year we are running this league and we have adapted and tweaked a few things to make the rankings as fair as possible.
“We are also encouraging more athletes and teams to get involved to give us any constructive feedback.”
Van Musschenbroek explained that the selected races were those from Cycling SA’s sanctioned road-event calendar.
“The events were selected based on their popularity as well as the attendance of professional riders and teams.
“The series has been divided into three sections – the one-day classics, tours and national road championships – while any UCI-graded event will automatically make it onto the calendar.”
Riders earn points based on their overall positions in the respective races, while at the end of the year their points accumulate to get a final score.
“Riders are divided into categories, the main ones being the elite and under-23 males and females.
“Essentially we are leveraging from the road-cycling calendar and we are ranking the riders based on their official results.”
Following 15 events so far this season, ProTouch’s Gustav Basson leads the men’s elite/U23 standings, with his teammate Jayde Julius second. AC/Luso’s Calvin Beneke and BCX’s Clint Hendricks are tied in third place.
Following 13 races on the women’s calendar, Demacon’s Carla Oberholzer leads the standings, with Team Spur’s Ariane Luthi second and teammate Lynette Burger third. Despite having won her last four races in a row, Demacon’s Kim le Court lies fourth.
View more of the standings below.
Elite/U23 men (points)
1. Gustav Basson (ProTouch) 366
2. Jayde Julius (ProTouch) 340
3. Calvin Beneke (AC/DC Luso) 310
3. Clint Hendricks (BCX) 310
5. Nolan Hoffman (BCX) 205
6. Reynard Butler (ProTouch) 204
7. Matt Beers (NAD Pro) 186
8. Gawie Combrinck (NAD Pro) 165
9. Nico Bell (NAD Pro) 136
9. Eddie van Heerden (MyVelo) 136
Elite/U23 women (points)
1. Carla Oberholzer (Demacon) 212
2. Ariane Luthi (Spur) 175
3. Lynette Burger (Demacon) 150
4. Kim le Court (Demacon) 145
5. Joanna van de Winkel (Cycle Nation) 141
6. Maroesjka Matthee (Ciovita) 130
7. Carmen Buchacher (dormakaba SA) 104
8. Michele Benson (Cycle Nation) 98
9. Liezel Jordaan 85
10. Yzette Oelofse (Bestmed-ASG) 84
