[dehai-news] (CyclingNews, SA) Eritrean rider Abraha Tesfai wins South African Cycling race

From: Biniam Tekle <biniamt_at_dehai.org_at_dehai.org>
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:03:35 -0400

http://www.cyclingnews.co.za/Pages/Default.asp?More=African%20on%20top%20in%20the%20Vaal%E2%80%99s%20big%20one!&FeatureID=4115&SectionID=2   African on top in the Vaal’s big one! *- Own Correspondent* << Back <javascript:history.back(-1)>
 Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Eritrean rider Abraha Tesfai rode away with the spoils in the Bestmed Campus2Campus SuperClassic, upstaging some of South Africa’s top riders in the Vaal Triangle’s annual cycling showcase.

Tesfai capitalised off his team’s strong attacking work throughout the 106km race, which saw the bunch come home in 2 hours 49 minutes and 49 seconds.

Seasoned professional Ian McLeod looked to spoil the party for the visitors with a strong effort in the final 4km, but Tesfai’s team-mates prepared the sprint to perfection for him. ASG’s HB Kruger came in second and McLeod had to settle for third.

In the women’s event MTN professional Robyn de Groot overcame a crash at the halfway mark to sprint to victory ahead of team-mate Charlotte van der Merwe and multiple South African champion Cherise Taylor (USN).

A field of more than 1000 riders took part, despite the event having to compete with the Rugby World Cup quarter finals on the same morning which saw South Africa go out against Australia.

“After six years the Campus2Campus remains such a strong stop-over on the local calendar and it remains a firm favourite with road riders from all over Gauteng,” said race spokesman Wynand de Villiers

“We had such a good event this year with metro police doing a stunning job at intersections along the route to ensure the safety of the riders.

“We also have to thank Emfuleni for extending the Vaal Carnival specifically to accommodate the Campus2Campus this year with the race taking place 2 weeks later than usual. Next year we’re back to the date of 23 September,” he said.

 The event has vested itself as one of the most prestigious and premier events on the South African cycling calendar, attracting the country's best cyclists and major television networks.

This has much to do with the popularity of the route as well as with the standard of event organisation which results in every detail meticulously seen to by the organising committee.
Bestmed has sponsored the event from the outset and have already confirmed their sponsorship for next year.

*Results:

Women:*

1. Robyn de Groot (2 hours 49 minutes and 49 seconds)
2. Charlotte van der Merwe
3. Cherise Taylor

*Men:*

1. Abraha Tesfai (2 hours 19 minutes and 46 seconds)
2. HB Kruger
3. Ian McLeod

         ----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]---- Received on Thu Oct 13 2011 - 11:03:56 EDT