A spur-of-the-moment entry into the Crossing Boundaries MTB Race paid handsome dividends for ACDC-Luso’s Andries Nigrini in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, today.
The 19-year-old broke away in the closing stages of the 70km event to get the better of André Potgieter (2nd) and Damian Gomez (3rd).
His original plan was to race Ride for Sight in Boksburg tomorrow, but he was forced into plan B after the frame of his road bike cracked during the Fast One two weeks ago.
Andries Nigrini (middle) won the 70km men’s event at the Crossing Boundaries MTB Race in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, today. Pictured with him are (from left) his father Louis and older brother Bernard. Photo: Adri Nigrini
Nigrini, who charged to a bronze medal in the U23 individual time-trial at the SA national road champs last week, gained the upper hand over Gomez with 10km to go.
They had been on their own for 12km after riding clear of a leading bunch of five on a technical uphill.
Gomez’s competitiveness motivated him to ride harder, said Nigrini, who built a lead of just over 30 seconds with 6km to go. Disaster struck behind when Gomez suffered a puncture, putting an end to any chance he may have had to challenge the eventual champion.
Nigrini’s race wasn’t plain sailing either after he took the early lead a mere 5km in. His aim was to turn the race into a time-trial and he built an advantage of over six minutes.
However, at the 46km mark, he reached route signage which seemed to have been disturbed by animals and he was uncertain which path to follow.
He decided discretion was the better part of valor and opted to wait for the chasing group, which consisted of Gomes, Potgieter, Wihl Vermaak and Gert Janse van Rensburg.
Nigrini said recent rains in the area made the race conditions demanding.
The second-year Tuks student added that winning solo was always great, but witnessing the pride of the community that helped him develop as a cyclist even more so.
“Achieving good results is how I thank them for their efforts and contributions to my cycling career.”
If his bike is roadworthy by then, next weekend’s Berge & Dale classic is next on his radar.
