WOMAN POWER: The Herald Continental Cycle Tour women’s winner Maroesjka Matthee, of Cape Town, salutes the crowd as she crosses the finish line ahead of Port Elizabeth’s racing queen Anriette Schoeman close behind Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN

TEAM BCX riders Clint Hendricks and Steven van Heerden were a cut above the rest as the pair claimed a one-two finish in the 106km classic at The Herald Continental Cycle Tour yesterday. In the women’s section, Cape Town Team Ciovita rider Maroesjka Matthee won the 106km title ahead of last year’s winner and Bay cycling ace, Anriette Schoeman, of Team Africa Silks Bestmed.

Another Port Elizabeth racer, Kelsey van Schoor, of African Pride, claimed third place.

Hendricks and Van Heerden, of Johannesburg, had big smiles as they crossed the line almost side by side to loud cheers from the crowd.

Hendricks led the way across the line in a time of two hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds, while Van Heerden stopped the clock at of 2:35.59sec.

Greg de Vink, of Team Mad Macs, rounded out the podium places in 2:36.00.

Hendricks, 26, was elated to pick up his first Herald Cycle Tour victory on a warm Sunday morning.

“The team rode brilliantly today, we had about four or five riders in the lead group,” he said after the race.

“Steven attacked after Maitlands and we opened a big gap.

“We had a few attacks and managed to work well together in the last 40km.

“Steve said I should take the win, even though I asked him a number of times if he was sure, because I would have liked him to win as well,” Hendricks said.

“He works tirelessly every day, and it just shows how unselfish he is. So, it’s just nice to reward the team with the win.”

Hendricks bettered his result of last year, where he finished second behind Nolan Hoffman, also from Team BCX.

Van Heerden said it was a tough race, but hailed the performance of all his teammates for their help in bringing home the title.

Asked why he had decided to give Hendricks the win, he said: “That’s camaraderie. We are friends.

“We ride together. He’s a sprinter, so that is his job,” Van Heerden said.

“My ride was just a training race for the Commonwealth Games later this year.”

Matthee, 29, claimed the women’s win in a nailbiting final few metres, to pip Schoeman to the post.

Matthee finished in a time of 3:12.51 ahead of Schoeman, who clocked in 3:12.52.

Van Schoor’s third place was in a time of 3:12.53

Matthee said despite the tough field, she knew she would need to stay in touch with the lead group – and in particular Schoeman – if there was any chance of her gaining a decent result.

“I always enjoy racing in Port Elizabeth,” she said.

“Anriette attacked non-stop but I managed to stick to her until the Maitlands climb.”

Matthee caught up with Schoeman about 5km after the ascent – and said it was then a drag race to the line.

“I was a bit nervous as I didn’t want to be boxed in, but I knew Anriette’s was the best wheel to stick to,” she said.

Schoeman said: “Conditions were quite tough and I didn’t feel great, so I just tried my best on the climbs.

“I was coming down with a bit of a tummy bug so, considering how I was feeling, I’m happy with the result.”

Schoeman said Matthee’s teammates made it difficult for her to pull away.

The king and queen of the mountain titles went to David Maree and Schoeman respectively.

In the 55km pursuit race, Imveli Cycling club’s Archie Zakhe, 15, took the honours in 1:38.05secs, ahead of second placed Reinhard Strumpfer (1:38.09) and Benjamin Brown in third (1:40.25).

On the women’s side, Team Bestmed’s Ashleigh Mayhead, 16, The Herald Continental Cycle Tour MTB winner a week ago, crossed in 1:44.18.

Mayhead finished a second ahead of Gemma Meaton (1:45.08) as Mischka Strydom came in two seconds later (1:47.59).

Top Five results:

Men 106km: Clint Hendricks (2:35.58secs), Steven Van Heerden (2:35.59), Greg de Vink (2:36.00); Brandon Downes (2:37.11); Nolan Hoffman (2.37:12)

Women’s 106km: Maroesjka Matthee (3:12.51); Anriette Schoeman (3:12:52); Kelsey van Schoor (3:12.53); Elne Owen (3.12.54); Liezel Jordaan (3:12.54).

Amir Chetty chettyam@tisoblackstar.co.za

TIME TO CELEBRATE: Enjoying the moment is The Herald Continental Cycle Tour winner Clint Hendricks, centre, with Steven van Heerden, right, who finished second, and Greg de Vink, who came third Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN

HUNDREDS of cycling fans filled the seats at the Race Village as The Herald Continental Cycle Tour rolled through Nelson Mandela Bay at the weekend.

Under sunny skies, spectators helped push their favourite riders to the finish as they lined the streets off Marine Drive.

The Cycle Tour Race Village had everything from jumping castles to a beer tent, food trucks, live music and some displays by SA trial mountain biker Dylan Victor to keep fans entertained.

Now in its 33rd year, one of the Eastern Cape’s iconic road races saw more than 1000 riders take to the course for both races. Team BCX showed their class by bagging three of the top five finishing spots.

Women’s 106km winner Maroesjka Matthee said racing in the Bay was always enjoyable and the crowd was always there to motivate racers.

“It’s amazing – wherever you went, every left and right turn, there were so many people out on the course cheering us on.

“The crowd really comes together as a community and it’s great for us as racers,” she said.

Friends Helder Silva and Armin Brandle, who participated in the veterans’ category, said they had enjoyed the day out on the course.

Both men used the race as part of their training for the Ironman Africa Championship in April.

The Herald and Weekend Post editor Brett Horner commended the organisers for another successful race.

“We are not trying to be the biggest race in the country and we know the race calendar is getting quite choc-a- block.

“So we try to create a unique experience – our Race Village is central to that both here and in Addo for the mountain bike leg.”

Horner said it was a family race with a lot of Bay riders participating. “The numbers looked pretty good again this year and we would like to keep them ticking up.”

He also thanked sponsors Continental South Africa for their continued support in making the race a success again this year.

Sales and marketing director Ian Langlands, who was also part of the race, said the partnership with The Herald Cycle Tour was now in the second of a three-year partnership and had been fantastic so far.

“Conti has been involved in cycling all around the world, like the Tour de France and the cycle tour here in the Eastern Cape – it’s been a really awesome experience,” he said.

Amir Chetty chettyam@tisoblackstar.co.za

FOLLOWING a successful Herald Continental Cycle Tour this year, Eastern Cape Motors is looking forward to assisting again as the event’s official vehicle partner.

With Eastern Cape Motors providing transport for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour the organising crew and officials will be driven around in style.

The company will be assisting with the lead and sweep vehicles, and transporting registration and sweep staff, the course co-ordinator, course marking, technical and media crew. They will be driving around in some of Ford’s finest cars, which include Fiestas, the rugged Ranger, Everest, the trendy Tourneau Bus and probably some Figos, too.

As second-time partners, Eastern Cape Motors has a long history of supporting key sporting events in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Port Elizabeth has been Ford Country since 1924, with the first assembly line in Africa opening to produce the famous Model T Ford. 

The Ford Engine Plant opened in Port Elizabeth in 1964 and currently produces engines for 148 countries, globally.

“Both Ford and Eastern Cape Motors are extremely proud of our beautiful city, Port Elizabeth,” ECM Dealer director Stephen Theodosiou said.

“We believe Port Elizabeth is the Jewell of Southern Africa, which has so much to offer, both to its citizens and tourists who visit the Eastern Cape.

“The Herald [Continental] Cycle Tour is a world class event, which is available to all levels of cyclists across South Africa and beyond – from the pros to weekenders, on road to mountain bike and recently, the corporate teams. So being a part of the HCT [Herald Continental Cycle Tour] as vehicle sponsors is not only a privilege, but our teams also have fun in assisting and participating,” he said.

Ford has a fantastic range of really impressive vehicles across all segments of the market.

Vehicles like the hugely successful Ford Ranger and the new Everest are ideally suited to cater for all people with outdoor aspirations. “Eastern Cape Motors is really looking forward to a ‘funtastic’ 2018 Herald Continental Cycle Tour. Come and feel the energy!” Theodosiou said.

The MTB [Mountain Bike] races take place on February 18 at the Addo Polo Club -- the 80km Extreme starting at 6am, and the 60km Adventure at 6.15am.

Riders for the Corporate Team Challenge will need to be at the start line at 7am on February 24 at Pollok Beach.

CALLING all cyclists, it is time to start getting pumped up! The ever-popular Herald Continental Cycle Tour is back on track and ready to hit the road again in February.

For those who prefer the magnificent free flowing trails in Addo, the mountain bike races (80km Extreme, 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure and 500m/5km Powerade Kiddies Ride) will take place on February 18 at the Addo Polo Club.

The competitive corporate teams can settle their score by entering the Corporate Team Challenge (23km road and 15km MTB relay) on February 24. For the little ones, there are the fun 2km and 500m Powerade Kiddies Rides.

The traditional, scenic road races (106km Classic and 55km Pursuit) take place on February 25 at Pollok Beach.

"It is hard to believe that it has been a year since Continental Tyre started its partnership with The Herald, supporting the Herald Continental Cycle Tour" said Shaun Uys, Managing Director of CTSA

"We hope to grow this event even further next year, and have some exciting new plans in store for the cycling community come February 2018. You can also expect to see a challenge to all the local Corporates to join the Corporate Relay Challenge on the 24th Feb - CTSA will be a strong force in the upcoming event" he said

"Not only is The Herald Continental Cycle Tour a great platform to showcase our leading technology in passenger car and bicycle tyres, but is also a way for us to encourage a healthy lifestyle using the example that the cycling community sets". says Uys

"Continental Tyre has been a part of the Port Elizabeth landscape for 70 years and we are proud to be associated with an iconic event that promotes not only the sport, but the beauty of our bay." he concluded.

The event will once again present a family race village for riders and spectators to enjoy, which includes popular food trucks, a beer garden, live entertainment, a Cycle Tour hospitality lounge and a bigger and better kiddies play park.

The event will host South Africa’s top riders and teams in the country, such as Port Elizabeth star Anriette Schoeman, team BCX, which includes defending champion Nolan Hoffman, Team Giant and Bestmed ASG Ladies.

The Herald and Weekend Post editor Brett Horner said: “This year’s event promises to raise the bar even higher after last year’s highly successful races, which saw an enlarged race village, the highest number of professional teams ever to take part and the biggest field across both weekends.

“All our sponsors are back on board and together with our headline partner, Continental Tyre SA, we are planning some unique and exciting launch events as we get closer to race day.

“Our commitment to stage the best cycle race in the country is stronger than ever and all indications at this stage are that the 2018 Cycle Tour will deliver on that promise. Get your entries in early, it’s one you won’t want to miss,” he said.

The sponsors, who are back on board once again for next year, are Continental Tyre SA, Powerade, Eastern Cape Motors, Thule, Scott Sports, Bukani and the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Race packs can be collected at Pollok Beach from 9am until 7pm on February 16, and on February 17 from 9am until 1pm. And then on February 23 from 9am until 7pm and from 9am until 1pm on February 24.

Entries close on the January 28 at midnight. Online entries only. No manual entries will be accepted.