Underberg – Tyronne White emerged from a five-man group to ride away for a convincing win at the “tough” Underberg Gran Fondo cycle race on Saturday.
The Ballito resident had to ride by himself for the best part of about 80km once the lead group broke apart and he crossed the line in the 140km gravel event in a time of 4:46:20, six minutes ahead of ultra-distance maestro Kevin Benkenstein, with Thabiso Zindela claiming the third step of the podium.
David Shelley and Michael Rowland were part of the lead group until the big climb of the day and finished fourth and fifth respectively.
In the women’s race, Sanchia Malan (Index Property Solutions), who is coached by White, cruised home in a time of 5:59:24, with Mikayla Benkenstein edging out Malan’s Swiss Epic teammate, Hayley Smith (Bell), and then Mikaela Hagemann in a close battle for the minor placings.
“It was bloody hard,” was how White succinctly described his victory.
Despite the tough nature of the event, the Drive Train Academy rider said he enjoyed his long day in the saddle.
“I am always happy with a win obviously, but we also had a good group of guys to ride with for the first half of the race. They were all nice to ride with and were all happy to do their share of the work.”
“We split up on the Coleford climb and then David (Shelley) was with me for a while until he dropped off and Kev (Benkenstein) rode back until a climb after about 60km when I went alone.”
“From there it was every man for himself until the finish.”
Selected Results
140km
Men
1 Tyronne White 4:46:20
2 Kevin Benkenstein 4:52:49
3 Thabiso Zindela 4:57:11
4 David Shelly 4:57:17
5 Michael Rowland 4:58:19
Women
1 Sanchia Malan 5:59:24
2 Mikayla Benkenstein 6:09:47
3 Hayley Smith 6:13:51
4 Mikaela Hagemann 6:14:00
94km
Men
1 Stefanus van den Heever 4:06:14
2 Graeme Kelly 4:22:04
3 Cameron Daly 4:22:15
4 Bryan Clarke 4:35:47
5 Ivan van Niekerk 4:38:51
Women
1 Juli Morris 4:40:37
3 Daleen Tyler 5:29:13
4 Melanie Van Rooyen 5:37:30
45km
Men
1 Isaiah Evans 1:58:02
2 Ezra Evans 2:07:01
3 Michael Streatfield 2:09:47
4 Asa Evans 2:16:43
5 Tayne Rudling 2:16:59
Women
1 Jenna Lofstrand 2:23:34
2 Minette Mccabe 2:38:50
3 Emma Logan 3:41:24
