Ryan Gibbons outsprinted defending champion Daryl Impey to win the men’s elite road race at the SA national champs at Swadini Forever Resort in Mpumalanga today.
Ryan Gibbons won the men’s elite road race at the SA national champs at Swadini Forever Resort in Mpumalanga today. Photo: NTT Pro Cycling
The NTT Pro Cycling rider completed the 175km race in 4:06:42.16. He won by a narrow margin, with Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) crossing the line in 4:06:42.54. Jayde Julius, who rides for ProTouch, finished in 4:06:42.78.
The roles were reversed from last year, when Gibbons finishing 25 seconds behind Impey.
“I’m really really relieved, more than anything else. I think the last two years I’ve been kind of plagued,” said Gibbons.
“Just having a smooth ride was the first goal. To get the win, that I’m really grateful for.”
Gibbons said it was “a pretty interesting race” with teams like ProTouch, TEG Pro Cycling and Office Guru having numbers, it was always going to be hard to control.
“We let a move go and then had to play a stalemate with some of the big threats, such as Impey, to see who would chase first.
“Eventually it came down to the wire and we caught the break in the last 500m. My teammates Stefan de Bod and Marc Pritzen were super and I just followed Impey.
“I knew I was quicker, so I had to wait for the sprint and fortunately it paid off.
“I’m very excited to have the title and to be able to wear the jersey in Europe this year. It will certainly give me more identity in the peloton, but also more confidence and self-belief.”
