Ryan Gibbons is looking forward to riding alongside good friend Kent Main at the 2021 African Continental Road Championships in Egypt from March 2 to 6. Photo: Facebook RyanGibbons23
Kent Main and Ryan Gibbons share a mutual admiration for one another both on the bike and as friends off it.
That close friendship will hopefully benefit South Africa at next month’s African Continental Road Championships in Cairo, Egypt, from March 2 to 6.
Main told In the Bunch that he’s looking forward to catching up with Gibbons at the African champs and hinted at riding for him in the road race.
“I’m realistic enough to say that the road race isn’t set out for a rider like me, so I’m more than happy to work for someone to ensure SA wins the race,” Main admitted.
That “someone” is likely to be Gibbons.
Gibbons is the reigning SA national road champion and has also tasted success at previous African championships in the team time-trial in 2013 and the 2019 individual time-time.
Speaking to In the Bunch, Gibbons said he was looking forward to racing with Main and his other teammates.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing him and racing with the guys. It’s always an honour and privilege to represent your country.
“I know that all of the riders selected are very talented and potentially all have what I takes to make it on the world stage, so I’m excited to be with them and race alongside them in our national colours,” Gibbons said.
Gibbons expected Main to be among the medals in the time-trials at the championships.
“It’s also going to be great racing with Kent. He’s a great friend and my training partner when I’m in South Africa.
“He’s probably the most experienced out of everyone else who’s going and is a very strong and selfless rider.
“I have no doubt he will be in the medals in the TTs and play a vital role in the road race,” Gibbons concluded.
Organisers of this year’s African championships have mapped out a 13km circuit which riders will complete as many times as the overall race distance dictates.
Main and Gibbons, along with Gustav Basson and Jason Oosthuizen, will form the South African quartet in the men’s elite team time-trial.
That race – over 39km (three laps) – will take place on the opening day of the championships, Tuesday, March 2.
The individual time-trial will be contested on Wednesday, March 3, over 26km (two laps). South Africa’s two riders have yet to be confirmed, but are likely to be Main and Gibbons.
The men’s road race on the final day, Saturday, March 6, will cover 156km (12 laps).
