For Craig Boyes, claiming his fourth 99er Cycle Tour win at the Durbanville Race Course in Cape Town yesterday was something pretty special.
Craig Boyes won his fourth 99er Cycle Tour at the Durbanville Race Course in Cape Town yesterday. Photo: Supplied
“I don’t think anyone has won the race four times before. It’s kind of cool and special at the same time,” he said.
The 29-year-old completed the 103km race in 2:29:34, six seconds ahead of Bizaye Redae. Matthew Fortuin completed the podium.
“I found the racing very positive all day and I think that is fantastic.
“The bunch mainly stayed together all of the way; just a few riders got away. I think with the bigger races it’s always hard to get away.”
Regarding tactics, Boyes said he decided to play it safe over the first few hills.
“After that I tried a few times to get into a breakaway.
“At around 70km in I found myself and a few others getting away. From there it was just a case of trying to get myself across the line first.”
A challenge for him came around the 35km mark when they encountered crosswinds from the right.
“I had to make sure I was on the right wheel all the time just in case any big moves were made and then I would be able to cover them.”
Boyes concluded by saying thanking the full team at the 99er for the effort they put into staging the event, which this year qualified as a premier seeding event for the Cape Town Cycle Tour due to the cancellation of the Stellenbosch Cycle Tour last month.
“Thank you from my side and the other riders who took part today.”
