Great Britain dominated the World Transplant Games cycling time trials in Durban claiming thirteen medals in the various age categories. Overall winner for the men’s race was Erlend Gjerde from the Norway and Ottilie Quince from Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Gjerde defended his title from the 2011 Games in Goteborg, Sweden where he bettered his time in Durban shaving off 39 seconds off his Swedish result. He finished the five kilometres in Durban in an impressive time of 7.49.
Second placed Richard Smith was his closest rival with three seconds separating the two. The British cyclist, Smith, commented after the race, “My time was slow today. It was hot out on the road, in Great Britain, our summers are this hot, so had to adjust to the heat. The wind off the ocean was a bit of a challenge on the first long beach road.”
Smith talked about his training back home, “I train as much as any other abled body competitor.” He said with a cheeky grin on his face, “Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose. When I lose I wickedly blame my transplant. But I feel normal.”
Smith will be back on the bike tomorrow to defend his 2011 title in the 20km event, Would be nice to get the two in the bag.” He concluded.
Quince (31) from Luton also defended her title with a convincing win in a time of 8.45. “My aim today was to win the overall line honours and I am delighted with my race.” stated a chuffed Quince.
Luton’s pedalling queen stated after her ride, “It was hard, on the stretch parallel to the beach I was riding straight into a headwind, so battled a bit with that. Yesterday, during practice the wind was a tail wind, so was different.”
Guest cyclist, Mayor of eThekiwini, James Nxumalo also took to the five kilometre race, “It was fantastic, a nice run and at the same time quite challenging.” said his worship. “I ride at least once a week from Ushaka to Blue Lagoon and back again. I am in training for this year’s Amashova.”
“It was a wonderful atmosphere around the event today, people are enjoying themselves and the race but at the same time are getting a vital message across about giving people a second chance by signing up as an organ donor.”
“The city council has a strong drive about cycling around the city; we are promoting our own councillors to cycle to meetings between the ICC and City Hall. We have undertaken to all motivate others to live a healthy lifestyle and of course, with a lot more bikes on the roads, there will be far less congestion.”
Second placed Nora Lombaard representing South Africa but resides in Namibia only began cycling in January, “This is my second race, I did the qualifying back home and now this one. I am riding at a cycling club where we get to do some wonderful road cycling. I enjoyed the race today, it was very good.”
The youngest competitor at the event, Robert Laubscher from Milnerton in Cape Town completed the 5km in a time of 14.34 loved his time on the bike, “It was easy!” said the confident young man, “and very nice. I am still going to be competing in swimming tomorrow where I am racing in the freestyle, butterfly and backstroke.”
“I have participated in a few triathlons, swimming is my favourite. But I enjoy cycling as well, I get to cycle often with my Mom and Dad.”
89 cyclists entered the 5km race, with all the cyclists competing racing against the clock. The route was cycled around the stadium precinct, with the riders cycling from the Kings Park Pool heading to the ocean, and then turning towards Blue Lagoon before turning inland and again towards the city, returning to the finish at Kings Park Pool.
President of the World Transplant Games Federation, Mr Olivier Coustere announced at the prize giving, “I am impressed by the race; I am impressed by the children competing. Everyone, the motivation on your faces showing the determination to finish the race was inspiring to see.”
For more info visit www.wtg2013.com or like the Facebook page to keep up with what is happening. Tomorrow (Wednesday) the cyclists will be returning to Kings Park Pool, this time pedalling around a 20km course.
Results
Men Overall
1 Erlend Gjerde (Norway), 2 Richard Smith (Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 3 Gavin Giles (Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 4 Stefano Caredda (Italy), 5 Randall Stafford (USA)
Women Overall
1 Ottilie Quince (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) 8.45, 2 Hilde Dorman (Netherlands) 10.21, 3 Mellisa Slanley (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) 10.22, 4 Ulrika Svantesson (Sweeden) 10.29, 5 Elizabeth Schick (Switzerland) 10.42
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