Arran Brown signaled his return to winning ways on Saturday at the CENTURY 21 Bela Bela Classic. Brown of Team Medscheme won the bunch sprint finish after 95 km and 2h03m, beating Dusty Day (House of Paint), and Jean Spies (Toyota National u/23 Academy).
This race always takes place in late autumn each year, and was as well attended as usual. In the elite section there were representatives of all top South African teams.
Starting at first light, in nippy conditions, the race headed out into the sun, and with strict rules to keep left of the center line, the racing was a nervous affair.
The flat route ensured that any escapes are hard to come by and the racing was fast, with many attacks, although with many teams with an interest in the race, nothing of note managed to get clear of the bunch.
The biggest obstacles of the day were some of the potholed sections of the route. Many were filled with sand to help make it safer for riders to pass, but in large groups, the riders positioned further back have limited visibility, and as could be expected at 50kph, there were a number of pileups.
Speaking with Arran Brown of his experience of the race:
"It was always going to be a fast race, and most likely a big group finish, so my team Medscheme went into the race with a plan. As we only had three riders for the day, Johann Rabie, Luthando Kaka and I. We decided that Kaka and Rabie would follow as many attacks as possible, while I waited and saved my strength for the possible bunch finish at the end."
"Luthando and Rabie did a great job, and the only worrying escape for us, was in the final 30km, where Rabie managed to get into a big break, that contained most of the favourites from MTN, House of Paint, EMG and DCM. I needed to be there, but some riders from TCM were also keen to close it, and with 20km remaining it regrouped."
"As the finish line loomed, MTN took control of the lead out, and I managed to position myself on Christoff van Heerden's wheel. In sight of the finish, with about 350m remaining and before Van Heerden launched his sprint (from his last leadout man's wheel). I launched early, and got a gap which I was able to hold to the line and win!"
"The team did a great job today, and perhaps as we had fewer numbers than our opposition, we were a bit under their radar while they raced each other hard! I did not feel great for most of the race, but with the pressure off, I found my legs and was ready for the final effort. I am very glad that I was able to win!"
"I hope that future races in this area can enjoy a pothole - less route, or soon we may all need mountain bikes!"
The Results: 95km
1st Arran Brown (Team Medscheme) 2h03m
2nd Dusty Day (House of Paint)
3rd Jean Spies (Toyota CSA National U/23 Academy)
4th Jaco Venter (MTN)
5th Dennis van Niekerk (EMG)
6th Christoff van Heerden (MTN)
7th Pieter Seyffert (DCM)
8th Juan Van Heerden (MTN)
(results: partly from RaceTec and a podium photo)
Source: Supersport/Supercycling
