HB Kruger said his win at the inaugural Race to the Sun in North West Province today was a “huge mental boost”.
He completed the 162km mountain-bike journey from Hartbeespoort Dam to Sun City in a time of 5:05:12, beating Jaco Cronje and Pieter du Toit into second and third place respectively.
“It was a big relief getting the win today. Being able to win it was an amazing feeling,” said Kruger.
HB Kruger, pictured here during the Around the Pot Overberg 100-Miler, was happy and relieved to win the inaugural Race to the Sun today. Photo: Oakpics.com
He added that the route was flat and fast, but quite rough.
“With a dual-suspension bike it was not ideal and I was at a disadvantage compared to the guys on the gravel bikes, but there were some really tough corrugated sections that played to my advantage.
“I used these to put a lot of other riders under pressure.”
Kruger said there was a big group of riders in the first half of the race. Cronje established a gap after 95km and was on his own with the bunch chasing behind.
“We hit a rough corrugated stretch of road and I went quite hard up that section and the bunch split up. We were three guys then chasing Jaco: myself, Phil [Buys] and Pieter.
“We caught Jaco quite quickly and the four of us worked well together until 150km. We then went through a rocky patch and I put the hammer down and got a slight gap.
“I rode quite steadily from there to stay safe and was fortunate enough to cross the line in first place.”
Kruger said his strategy throughout was to save as much energy as possible in the beginning and then spend his pennies wisely towards the finish.
“Coming from the coast I was also concerned about the altitude having an influence on me, but it worked out in the end.”
He added that he had wanted to win this race ever since he heard about it and saw it on the calendar.
“It sounded like a really cool concept. The whole idea of riding from points A to B is something different in a one-day race in SA and I enjoyed it.
“I think it can only grow from strength to strength. Advendurance did an amazing job with the organisation and I’ll definitely be back next year.”
