It has long been Louis Visser’s dream to win the U23 national road race and that became a reality at the SA road champs at Swadini Forever Resort in Mpumalanga today.
Louis Visser won the U23 national road race at the SA road champs at Swadini Forever Resort in Mpumalanga today. Photo: coolfotos
The 21-year-old completed the 175km race in 4:06:44.28, with second-placed Jean-Pierre Lloyd finishing in 4:06:44.29. Bradley Gouveris, who finished in 4:06:44.41, completed the podium.
“It was an interesting race because the NTT Pro Cycling team didn’t bring their whole squad so they couldn’t control the race as usual,” said Visser, a TEG Pro Cycling rider.
“The race course was also not hard enough to break it into pieces.”
Visser said the gap between the peloton and break grew quite large, so he did not actually think it was going to come back.
“I waited for the sprint and obviously it was pretty hard but not very technical, and the little drag to the finish really suited me,” said Visser, who evidently executed his sprint to perfection to claim the victory.
He added that winning the title had always been a goal for him.
“I’m just glad I could pull it off.
“I just want to thank TEG and all my teammates for believing in me.”
Visser said an immediate goal now would be the Tour of Good Hope five-day road race which takes place next month.
“Then Europe later in the year. It will be great to be able to represent my country at international level.”
