South African Time Trial Championships: Podium Galore for Dimension Data for Qhubeka
Continental Team rider Stefan de Bod impresses with 2nd fastest time of the day
The South African National Time Trial Championships took place today with Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) once again taking the victory. Our Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka boys rounded out the podium with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg in 2nd and Johann van Zyl in 3rd.
It would be an early morning start for the elite time trial race with the u23 event following directly afterward. In the elite race we had 4 riders challenging for the title that Impey has made his own over the last number of years. The 48km undulating course would be a tough test against the clock and while Van Zyl and then Janse van Rensburg both took the hot seat for a short while, Impey came home in 1:01'23" to win his 5th ITT title.
In the u23 race, run over the same course as the elite time trial, our Dimension Data for Qhubeka Continental Team had 3 starters. Coming off a 3-week training camp, our young talents were absolutely flying. Stefan de Bod, at just 19 years of age, would clock a time 12 seconds off Impey's elite time to win the u23 title. Ryan Gibbons and Keagan Girdlestone ensured the u23 podium was swept clean by the Dimension Data for Qhubeka Continental Team, with 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg - Rider
Today went pretty well. I was satisfied with my effort as this was the course we did the continental champs on last year, and today I was over a minute quicker. I still don't like losing though, so the result is definitely bitter sweet. It was great to see some of the younger guys in our continental team doing so well though. Stefan de Bod was incredible. We look ahead to the road race on Sunday where we will try to defend our title.
Stefan de Bod - Continental Team Rider
It's really a good feeling to be the u23 time trial champion. It hasn't really sunk in yet I don't think, maybe it will when I step onto the podium in a few minutes. This is my first national time trial title, I have won a road race title as a junior but never a time trial title and it has always been one of my goals to do so. It's also a really nice feeling to have done the 2nd fastest time of the day. We had prepared really well for the TT, coming here a few days ago to recon the course. I knew exactly how to pace myself over the many ups and downs. I was really nervous today because it is a really long time trial but I just started easy the first 15km, trying to not overcook it and it worked. I am very happy with the result and it's a good way to start the year with the team and for Qhubeka.
Team Dimension Data For Qhubeka
Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka was founded in 2007, steadily working its way up from a regional team to now being a World Tour team with bases in South Africa and Italy. It’s also known as Africa’s Team due to its focus on helping African talents to the world stage of cycling. The team races to raise funds for the Qhubeka Charity to mobilise people on bicycles in Africa. To contribute to the #BicyclesChangeLives Campaign, click here.
Qhubeka is an Nguni word that means “to progress”, “to move forward”. Qhubeka (qhubeka.org) is part of World Bicycle Relief (worldbicyclerelief.org), a global non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing education, health and economic opportunities by providing simple, sustainable transportation through the power of bicycles.
Dimension Data is a global company specializing in information technology services. Founded in 1983 in South Africa its focus areas include network integration and security solutions among others. Dimension Data operates worldwide in more than 50 countries.
Learn more about the team at www.africasteam.com.
All images attached to the press release can be used with the respective image credit in combination to this release.
