Elite riders at the start of the race during the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge held at Nelson's Creek Wine Estate in Wellington on the 9th October 2011. Photo by: Jacques Rossouw/SPORTZPICS

Starting from Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate just outside Wellington, the route rolled through the beautiful Boland Winelands area. With the peloton staying close together for much of the initial stages, local boy David Garrett of Daiken GU made the expected attack at the only major climb of the race heading up to Riebeek Kasteel at the 30km mark. The peloton let him go until just before the crest of the climb where Team Bonitas lead the chase to close the 10second gap and the 7-man team started to ride away from the peloton with Garret stuck in the middle.  From there it was a drive to the finish by Team Bonitas as they continued to open the gap on the chasing peloton, which eventually grew to 1’10”.

With David Garrett of Daiken GU the solitary rider not from Team Bonitas, the winner was always going to come from the medical aid group’s team sponsorship.  With 10km to go the attacks went off the front as first Jason Bakke and then Johann Rabie attacked opening a small gap on the field. Garrett tried to chase down the leaders and had Hanco Kachelhoffer marking his every move. As the race got into the last few kilometres both Darren Lill and Luthando Kaka put in their last surge to close the gap and place themselves in good positions for the final chase to the line. Gawie Combrink and Songezo Jim played out the team tactics and hung back to shadow Garret.

In the final sprint for the line, Kaka gave it all he had and took line honours, a fitting climax for this young and very talented rider whose career only started a short while back in Cape Town.

Overall winner Luthando Kaka, Johan Rabie (3rd) and Johannes Kaggelhoffer (2nd) with Engen representative Brad Bergh during the prize giving at the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge held at Nelson's Creek Wine Estate in Wellington on the 9th October 2011. Photo by: Jacques Rossouw/SPORTZPICS

Kaka was emotional after his win. “I suffered in the heat in the last 10km of the race, but the team pulled me through and then set me up for the win. To win here at what is really my home is something special and I’m grateful to the team for making this weekend a very special one.”

The Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge saw the participation of 30 Engen petrol pump attendants who all completed the 30km race. “At Engen we encourage staff participation in programmes we sponsor and are very proud that the Engen Dealer network has supported this event with the entry of their forecourt staff who would ordinarily not be exposed to cycling. Judging by their enthusiasm, we are sure to see more entries next year,” said Mr Brad Bergh, Group Sponsorship Manager.

Engen Dynamic team during the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge held at Nelson's Creek Wine Estate in Wellington on the 9th October 2011. Photo by: Jordi Matas/SPORTZPICS

In addition to the sponsorship of this now well-known Cycling event Engen also invests substantially into safety  as well as the growth of young cyclists in the sport. With their sponsorship of the Engen Safe Cycling Programme presently active in four regions around the country, Engen have educated over 16 000 young learners on all safety aspect of cycling on our country’s roads. “I sincerely hope that Engen has made a positive impact on the young folk that have been through the programme and that the experience has equipped them all on the importance safety when cycling,” commented Mr Bergh.

Olympic gold medalist Ernst van Dyk at the start of the race during the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge held at Nelson's Creek Wine Estate in Wellington on the 9th October 2011. Photo by: Jacques Rossouw/SPORTZPICS

South Africa’s leading energy company has once again donated 50% of all the entry fees from the Wellington leg of the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Burn’s Unit, as it does at all its cycling events. Last year Engen raised over R 80,000 across its three EDCC events (PE, Durban and Cape Town) and has exceed this amount by 30% with a total of R 135 000 having been raised through the public’s support of its cycling events this year.

Results Men

1. Luthando Kaka                      Team Bonitas                2:14;25

2. Hanco Kachelhoffer               Team Bonitas                Same Time

3. Johann Rabie                        Team Bonitas                Same Time

4. Darren Lill                              Team Bonitas                Same Time

5. Gawie Combrink                    Team Bonitas                2:15;15

Results Women

1.         Maroeska Mattee                                               2:51;01

2.         Cathy Carstens                                                  2:51;02

3.         Sara Bonner                                                      2:51;03

Registration at Cycle Lab,Northgate between 14:00 and 18:00 on Friday 7 October 2011
or on race day  - 8 October between at Nelsons Creek Wine Estate from 07:00

START TIMES

• 60km – 08:30
• 30km – 8:50
• 18km – 9:10
• Kiddies – 9:15

Road – Sunday, 9 October 2011

Registration at Cycle Lab,Northgate between 14:00 and 18:00 on Friday 7 October 2011
or on race day  -9 October between 05:00 and 06:30 at Nelsons Creek Wine Estate

START TIMES

• 99km from 07:00
• 46km from 07:45
• 30km from 08:00

NOTE

The 99km route is 2km’s shorter due to road works outside Malmesbury. Over the hill from Riebeeck Kasteel cyclists will turn left and head back with and additional loop via Lady Loch.(this route is more scenic and faster)

The 46km route is 2km’s shorter due to road works at the Lady Loch bridge. A new kink on route takes you past the Lady Loch Bridge, cyclists will really enjoy this new route.

Enjoy!
-  From the Race Team

The final leg of the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge moves to Wellington on Sunday 9 October -  and it is a race of much importance to the Daikin GU Team. This is their backyard and the home grown team will not be keen to see the likes of the Pro Teams Tasol GT and Bonitas from Johannesburg come and steal the glory,

Daikin GU is headed up by Moolman Welgemoed, a tough and strong cyclist who loves nothing more than to go up against the favourites – and has done so with some success. Daikin GU have won the Burger Cycle Challenge a number of times and have been dominant at the Double Century.

Welgemoed and Co will know the roads around Wellington like the proverbial back of their hands and will no doubt try and make that knowledge count.  The Daikin GU team has in leader Welgemoed and lieutenant, Alastair Davies, two very strong and capable riders who are not scared to take the battle to the field and the up country pro’s will do well to keep a close eye on them.

Tasol GT’s Nolan Hoffman will know these two riders well, as the 26 year-old grew up in these parts and has raced against them on many occasions. Hoffman will know what danger the local team will present, but both Tasol GT and Bonitas are pro teams and will know that they cannot take any team or rider for granted.

Engen will provide three  challenging routes for Saturday’s Mountain bike action – ranging from 60 km, 30 km or 18 km fun ride routes. The road race of the Sunday offers routes ranging from 99km, 46km or 30km. Cyclists can visit  www.edcc.co.za for further race entry information.

The registration fees for both mountain bike and road races are as follow: long route costs R120, medium route R100, short route R80. The first 250 entrants to register will receive a limited edition Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge t-shirt.  As part of the pre entry incentive and Safety drive, Engen will be issuing the ‘Engen emergency saddle tag’ which will include medical information and details of each participant, a very handy tool for all cyclists to carry on them. This tag will be issued upon entry and should be placed just underneath each cyclist’s seat.

Engen will again this year provide a very action packed cycling village and with this comes a host of activities including: Food stalls, kiddies play zone, Engen Safe Cycling demonstration, free leg rub downs at the Energising tent, great prize give-aways and load more. Cyclists can expect some big lucky draw prizes on offer which include three Schwinn Mesa Mountain Bikes and amazing cycling hampers.  There will be plenty of water points along the routes and cyclists and their families will be treated to a day of family fun and entertainment at the Engen Cycling Village.

Engen would also like to remind all cyclists to drop off their old bikes or bike parts at the Engen Bike Donation point which will be situated in the race village. All donations will be restored and used in the Engen Safe Cycling community programme.

Engen will again donate 50% of all the entry fees raised to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Burn’s Unit, as it does in all EDCC events. Last year Engen raised over R 80,000 across three EDCC events (PE, Durban and Cape Town) and hopes to exceed this amount in 2011.

Enter now and don’t miss out on the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge- love riding it!!

The final of the three-legged Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge heads to Wellington on Sunday 9 October. Due to international commitments, MTN Qhubeka who claimed victory in Durban last weekend through Arran Brown, will not be racing which opens the door for the winner to come from one of the other two big teams in South Africa – Bonitas or Tasol GT.

Tasol GT will be looking to set up their star sprinter, Nolan “the Hoff” Hoffman for a win; a win which would be all the sweeter as Hoffman hails from this region. His prodigious talent saw him snapped up by Neotel and he moved to Johannesburg where he quickly made a name for himself.

Hoffman is in great form, but has had to play second fiddle to MTN Qhubeka’s Arran Brown for three  successive races and the 26 year old is hungry for a victory. Hoffman was crowned All Africa Champion on Sunday 11 September. “I am getting into better and better shape as the year comes to an end,” said Hoffman after his second place in Durban on the past weekend. “I have a great team and we are keen to win some big races.”

Looking to prevent the “home town boy” from winning will be the likes of Tyler Day and Jason Bakke of the Bonitas team. Day finished third overall in Durban and the first U23 rider. After a recent collarbone injury, the youngster showed at the Engen Dynamic Cycle race in Durban that he is beginning to find form again.

Looking to set him up for the win are his  team mates, Darren Lill, Hanco Kachelhoffer and Johann Rabie. Kachelhoffer is a very handy and dangerous rider to have in a team as he is a very strong climber and a handy all-rounder. The EDCC in Wellington has one monster climb early on in the race – the climb up to Riebeek Kasteel. The climb is roughly 30km into the 100km race, so if Kachelhoffer can open up a decent break on this climb, Bonitas will sit back and let the rest of the teams do the chasing.

The dark horse team in the equation is Daikin GU. The local team is headed by the dangerous Moolman Welgemoed and his lieutenant, Alastair Davies. Both have had wins over the big up country pro teams and will be looking for yet another chance to show up the better-known teams from Johannesburg.

Other than the major climb up to Riebeek-Kasteel, the route is undulating with a fast downhill finish. So if no one is able to break away at the climb, then the race is likely to finish in a bunch sprint, and there Hoffman and Day should be the ones to beat.

Engen will again this year provide a very action packed cycling village and with this comes a host of activities including: Food stalls, kiddies play zone, Engen Safe Cycling demonstration, free leg rub downs at the Energising tent, great prize give-aways and load more. Cyclists can expect some big lucky draw prizes on offer which include three Schwinn Mesa Mountain Bikes and amazing cycling hampers.  There will be plenty of water points along the routes and cyclists and their families will be treated to a day of family fun and entertainment at the Engen Cycling Village

Engen will provide three challenging routes for Saturday’s Mountain bike action – ranging from 60 km, 30 km or 18 km fun ride routes. The road race of the Sunday offers routes ranging from 99km, 46km or 30km. Cyclists can visit  www.edcc.co.za for further race entry information

The registration fees for both mountain bike and road races are as follow: long route costs R120, medium route R100, short route R80. The first 250 entrants to register will receive a limited edition Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge t-shirt.  As part of the pre entry incentive and Safety drive, Engen will be issuing the ‘Engen emergency saddle tag’ which will include medical information and details of each participant, a very handy tool for all cyclists to carry on them. This tag will be issued upon entry and should be placed just underneath each cyclist’s seat.

Engen would also like to remind all cyclists to drop off their old bikes or bike parts at the Engen Bike Donation point which will be situated in the race village. All donations will be restored and used in the Engen Safe Cycling community programme.

South Africa’s leading energy company will also once again donate 50% of all the entry fees raised from the Durban leg of the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Burn’s Unit, as it does at all EDCC events. Last year Engen raised over R 80,000 across its three EDCC events (PE, Durban and Cape Town) and hopes to exceed the amount this year. After the Port Elizabeth and Durban leg, this year’s figure stands at R 71 000.

Enter now and don’t miss out on the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge- love riding it!!

The big climb up to Westville North, 20km into the race was expected to see the attacks come, but MTN pushed the pace hard up the climb to control proceedings. Once at the top of the climb, the peloton reached speeds of to 70km/hr going down towards New Germany. Various attacks went off the front but were immediately pulled back, the most dangerous coming at 48km when seven riders opened a gap of around 10 seconds. The leaders, including the likes of Jason Bakke, Jani Tewelde, Johan Rabie, Arron Brown and Hanco Kachelhoffer, were threatening to get away until the peloton pulled them back at the halfway stage of the race.

The Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge in Durban, 2 October 2011. Pic: Rogan Ward/SPORTZPICS

Martin Weseman (MTN Qhubeka) Richard Baxter (Tasol GT), Hanco Kachelhofer (Bonitas) and Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg (MTN Qhubeka) made a decisive break as the peloton at the 60km mark as the riders left the Bluff area.

The quartet quickly opened a gap of 45 seconds (at 64km along Prospectin).

MTN Qhubeka were quite content to let the four riders go as they had two in the lead group who were working hard to further open the gap. At 75km they had moved to a lead of 50seconds. Bonitas and Tasol GT decided to close down the gap. By 85km the peloton had taken 11 seconds out of the lead of the quartet. 2 km later and the gap was down to 29 seconds. With less than 10km left, the peloton were 18 seconds down and eventually swallowed the leaders with 6km left.

The race came down to a sprint finish and Arron Brown (MTN Qhubeka) was once again triumphant over Nolan Hoffman (Sasol GT). “It was a great a team effort by us,” said winner Brown. “We had the numbers, we were the team to beat and we made it count.”

MTN Qhubeka rider Arron Brown celebrates winning the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge in Durban, 2 October 2011. Pic: Rogan Ward

Hoffman was philosophical about his defeat. “Arron is the man to beat right now. But they have the strength in numbers. I am happy with my form right now and expect to reverse my fortunes very soon.”

The ladies race was all but over when Liese Olivier of MTN Qhubeka crested the climb after 20km and proceeded to open a gap over Cherise Taylor.

MTN Qhubeka rider Lise Olivier leads the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge in Durban, 2 October 2011. She went on to win after breaking early in the race. Pic: Rogan Ward

Coming into the Toti area (67km) she had opened a lead over Taylor of 2 min and with An-Li Pretorius and Sarah Chemally (both MTN Qhubeka) marking Taylor, Olivier was able to ride away from her rival and cross the finish line almost four and a half minutes ahead of the rest of field. Second went to Jeaun-Marie Breytenbach; with An-Li Pretorius rounding out the podium.

In addition to the 1200 cyclists that participated, 30 Engen Petrol pump attendants took part in the race and were equipped with the necessary bikes and gear all of which was provided from the generous petroleum brand.

South Africa’s leading energy company will also once again donate 50% of all the entry fees raised from the Durban leg of the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Burn’s Unit, as it does at all EDCC events. Last year Engen raised over R 80,000 across its three EDCC events (PE, Durban and Cape Town) and hopes to exceed the amount this year. After the Port Elizabeth and Durban leg, this year’s figure stands at R 71 000.

The EDCC makes its way to beautiful Wellington on 8^th and 9^th October 2011 at the Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate. Be sure to get your entry in. Love riding it!

A renowned sprinter, Brown’s hopes of a hat-trick of victories will rest heavily on the support he gets from his as yet unnamed teammates, especially as they will be up against a formidable Tasol GT team lead by Nolan Hoffman.

Hoffman is a multiple track champion and boasts incredible leg speed. With support coming from accomplished track rider Dean Edwards, and former SA Time Trial Champion James Perry, Brown and his MTN Qhubeka team will know that the Tasol GT Team will take some beating.

Another team not short on talent or firepower is Bonitas. With Hanco Kachelhoffer, Johann Rabie, Darren Lill and Gawie Combrink lining up in Durban, MTN Qhubeka and Tasol GT will ignore Bonitas at their peril.

The 100km Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge starts and finishes at the impressive Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The course features some tough climbing, especially in the first half of the race, but mostly undulates across the beautiful landscape of coastal KwaZulu-Natal.

On the ladies front, MTN Qhubeka have issued a statement of intent by naming a formidable line-up of Lise Olivier, Sarah Chemaly, Jeaun-Marie Breytenbach, Charlotte van der Merwe and An-Li Pretorius. With victories in the recent Rand Water Race,  Jock Cycle Classic,  Bela Bela and the coveted Clover Tour, MTN Qhubeka have been the form team of 2011. These impressive results are coupled with a two month stint in Europe, where Breytenbach and Olivier featured prominently.

Local cycling legend Anriette Schoeman will have her work cut out against the MTN Qhubeka juggernaut. The 34-year-old is however a wily campaigner and should not be discounted. Her victories at the Dome2Dome and the recent Kumba Iron Ore Classic are firm proof of some good form. If she is still with the bunch heading down the home straight, only a brave punter would bet against the Port Elizabeth native as she remains one of the best sprinters in the country.

The Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge caters for all levels of cyclists and offers 100km, 50km or 20km routes. Registration fees vary in accordance with the route selected (R120, R100, and R80 for the short route). The first 250 entrants to register will receive a limited edition Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge t-shirt.

Online entries are now closed, however late entries will be accepted on 1^st  and 2^nd  October at STS Sport situated in the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Engen, South Africa’s leading energy company, will also once again donate 50% of all the entry fees raised from the Durban leg of the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Burn’s Unit, as it does at all EDCC events. Last year Engen raised over R 80,000 across its three EDCC events (PE, Durban and Cape Town) and hopes to exceed the amount this year. After the Port Elizabeth leg, this year’s figure stands at R 23,000.

Enter now and don’t miss out on the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge- love riding it!!

The ‘Engen Safe Cycling Programme’ will be held at the Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate and forms part of the very popular Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge. All youngsters attending the day’s festivities are encouraged to participate as it will provide them with comprehensive knowledge of the rules of the road and ensure that their experience on South African roads is a safe one.

The programme sees participants cycle in controlled road conditions and within the safety of an enclosed area. In this simulated environment, cyclists are able to experience real situations, including road signs, traffic lights and intersection scenarios, under the guidance of qualified instructors.

Developed by the Life Cycle Academy, the ‘Engen Safe Cycling Programme’ is currently offered at seven schools in disadvantaged areas of the Western Cape and has already touched the lives of close to 8,500 children nationwide.

Life Cycle Academy is a nonprofit organisation that uses cycling to “grow individuals and unleash their potential”.  Sports based programmes are widely recognised as being effective ’fire starters’ for the improved learning and outcomes of their participants. The ‘Engen Safe Cycling Programme’ is no exception.

Life Cycle Academy National Coordinator, Wayne Kirby, says his team are very excited to be able to impart there knowledge to the kids of the Western Cape on 9 October. “Thanks to Engen, children will be exposed to the importance of Road Safety so they can enjoy the wonderful benefits of cycling.”

Avoid Accidents – Cycle the Engen Way!

NOTE: Areas that are covered include:

1. Road Signs
2. Road Markings
3. Rules of the road
4. Visibility

The cyclists presence on the road

Members of the Engen Safe Cycling programme

The Engen  Dynamic Cycle Challenge makes its eagerly awaited returning to the picturesque Winelands of the Western Cape in early October, offering cyclists the opportunity to saddle-up for the Mountain Bike Challenge on 8 October or the Road Race challenge on 9 October – or, for the very energetic, both.

All the action will start and finish at Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate in Wellington. Saturday’s Mountain Bike Challenge offers routes of 60 km, 30 km or 18 km, while Sunday’s Road Race will see cyclists tackling 99km, 46km or 30km of road in and around the rolling hills of Wellington.

Cyclists can register online at www.edcc.co.za or get entry forms from leading cycling shops which can be faxed to the race office to book their places. Closing date for online entries is Sunday, 2 October 2011.

Registration fees are as follows:

As part of the pre-entry incentive and safety drive, Engen will be issuing an ‘Engen Emergency Saddle Tag’ to every entrant. These tags include medical information and the personal details of each participant, and are a handy tool for cyclists to carry at all times. The tag will be issued on entry and should be placed just underneath each cyclist’s seat.

Engen will again provide a cycling village packed with a host of activities, including: food stalls, kiddies play zone, Engen Safe Cycling demonstration, free leg rub downs at the Energising Tent, great prize give-aways and loads more. Added to this, are some fantastic lucky draw prizes, including Schwinn Mesa Mountain Bikes and amazing cycling hampers.

The ‘Recycle’ initiative will also be launched. Cyclists are kindly asked to donate their old bicycles or bicycle parts. These can be dropped off at the Engen Bike Donation point which will be situated in the cycling village. The old bicycles will be refurbished and used in the Engen Safe Cycling community programme where scholars are educated on safe cycling and the rules of the road.

South Africa’s leading energy company will also once again donate 50% of all the entry fees raised from the Durban leg of the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Burn’s Unit, as it does at all EDCC events. Last year Engen raised over R 80,000 across its three EDCC events (PE, Durban and Cape Town) and hopes to exceed the amount this year.

Enter now and don’t miss out on the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge- love riding it!!

Members of the Daikin and Cape Town Market Teams climbing out of Riebeeck Kasteel

Jennie Stenehage, the 2010 EDCC Women's Winner, at the finish

The eagerly anticipated Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge returns to the South African sporting mecca of Durban on Sunday, 2 October. The race starts and finishes at the majestic Moses Mabhida Stadium and cyclists can look forward to safe and exciting routes with full support from the City of Durban.

Cyclists can register online at www.edcc.co.za or via fax (entry forms are available from leading cycling shops). Entries close on Tuesday, 27 September 2011. Late entries will however be accepted on 1 and 2 October at STS Sport situated in the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge caters for all levels and offers 100km, 50km or 20km routes. Registration fees vary in accordance with the route selected (R120, R100, and R80 for the short route). The first 250 entrants to register will receive a limited edition Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge t-shirt.

As part of the pre entry incentive and safety drive, Engen will be issuing an ‘Engen Emergency Saddle Tag’ to every entrant. These tags include medical information and the personal details of each participant, and is a handy tool for cyclists to carry at all times. The tag will be issued on entry and should be placed just underneath each cyclist’s seat.

Engen will again provide a cycling village packed with a host of activities, including: food stalls, a kiddies play zone, Engen Safe Cycling demonstration, free leg rub downs at the Energising Tent, great prize give-aways and loads more. Added to this, are some fantastic lucky draw prizes, including Schwinn Mesa Mountain Bikes and amazing cycling hampers.

The ‘Recycle’ initiative will also be launched. Cyclists are kindly asked to donate their old bicycles or bicycle parts. These can be dropped off at the Engen Bike Donation point which will be situated in the cycling village. The old bicycles will be refurbished and used in the Engen Safe Cycling community programme where scholars are educated on safe cycling and the rules of the road.

South Africa’s leading energy company will also once again donate 50% of all the entry fees raised from the Durban leg of the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Burn’s Unit, as it does at all EDCC events. Last year Engen raised over R 80,000 across its three EDCC events (PE, Durban and Cape Town) and hopes to exceed the amount this year. After the Port Elizabeth leg, this year’s figure stands at R 23 000.

Enter now and don’t miss out on the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge- love riding it!!

For more information or to register, visit www.edcc.co.za for entries.

Matlosana’s Egon Campbell took the 100km race honours at the finish at Altona Primary School. He was followed home by teammates Dusty Day, Pieter Sayffert and Donovan Lubbe.

A general view of the race route as the leading pelaton approaches the halfway mark during the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge held in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa on the 18th September 2011. Photo by Jacques Rossouw/Sportzpics

Before the race, Day boldly declared that he and his teammates would ride very hard from the get-go in an effort to take the race to the opposing teams and the quartet followed through on their promise, affecting a break within the first 10km’s of the race. Only Herman Fouche, of the Cape Town Market (CTM) team and a former winner of the Cape Argus, Stellenbosch University’s Christian Kriek (Maties) and Ryan Kemp were brave enough to stick with the rampaging Matlosana riders in extremely windy conditions.  Kemp soon found the going too hot to handle and was duly dropped. This left Fouche and Kriek fighting a losing battle as they tried desperately to hang onto the coat tails of the flying Matlosana team.

With four riders working in unison upfront, the team from Klerksdorp was able to set the pace. A close eye was kept on Fouche, a rider of some pedigree, but despite boasting a stage win in the recent Suir Valley Race in Ireland and third place in the 2011 Cape Argus, Fouche was unable to counter the constant Malotsana attacks, falling off the pace (along with Kriek) 38 km’s into the race, just before the route went past the world famous Van Staden’s River Bridge.

After 42km’s the writing was on the wall as Team Malotsana opened a gap of 1’40” over the chasing duo. By 64 km’s this had increased to three minutes. In the end the quartet crossed the line together with the win credited to Egon Campbell, marking the first major win of his career.

In the ladies race, recently married hometown favourite Lindi Dorfling of the Bizhub Konica Minolta team was in a class of her own on the day. The 30-year-old cruised along in the second big bunch of men, crossing the line with them in 2 hours 52 minutes and 34 seconds. Dorfling’s Bizhub Konica Minolta teammate Lelandie Swanepoel was second with Stephanie Moolman taking the last spot on the podium.

There was so much more to the day than just the battle for top honours. As has become customary at all Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge events, South Africa’s most popular petroleum brand provided a host of activities for cyclists and spectators, including: exciting prize give-aways, food stalls, free leg rub downs, a Safe Cycling demonstration, and a  kiddies play zone.

Engen Group Sponsorship Manager, Brad Bergh commented: “It was fantastic to see local cyclists come out and support Engen’s event, despite the blustery conditions. Congratulations to all who walked away with podium finishes and a special thanks to the field for helping Engen raise substantial funds in support of Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Your support is much appreciated and I look forward to seeing you at the next leg in Durban.”

Engen remains committed to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and its world renowned Burn’s Unit. The Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge donated 50% of the race entries to the Burns Unit which amounted to R 23, 000 raised for this life changing initiative.

The next leg of the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge takes place on 2 October at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Team Matlosana with elite riders Egon Campbell, Donovan Lubbe, Dusty Day and Pieter Sayffert cross the finish line together giving the title to Egon Campbell during the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge held in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa on the 18th September 2011. Photo by Jacques Rossouw/Sportzpics

Results Men                                         Team                                     Time

1. Egon Campbell                                Matlosana                                 02:41:21

2. Dusty Day                                         Matlosana                                 same time

3. Peter Syffert                                    Matlosana                                 same time

4. Herman Fouche                            CTM

5. Roger Phieffer

Lindi Dorfling crosses the finish line to take the ladies title during the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge held in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa on the 18th September 2011. Photo by Jacques Rossouw/Sportzpics

Results Women                                    Team                                       Time

1. Lindi Dorfling                                    Bizhub Konica Minolta            02:52:34

2. Lelandie Swanepoel                       Bizhub Konica Minolta

3. Stephanie Moolman