Starting 2015 with a bang

Team Valencia kicked off 2015 full gas at the MP Provincial road champs in Badplaas on the 17^th – 18^th January. Four disciplines of racing take place over the two days with the road race and Time trial on the Saturday and the Hill Climb and Criterium on the Sunday. Riders could choose which event/s to partake in. Team Valencia had a reputation to uphold as they cleaned up in last year’s event.

In the Road Race, Damon Halderman, having just made the leap from the Junior category to U23, won the U23 category and crossed the line second overall in a bunch sprint with Elite rider Richard Swanepoel and U23 Liam de Klerk in 2^nd and 3^rd. Justin Victor came 3^rd in the Elite men’s category and Samantha Sanders and Amy McDougall sprinted for 2^nd  and 3^rd respectively in the women’s race. Martin Oosthuizen came 3^rd in the junior category, Jaco Botha 2^nd in the Vet Men 30 – 34 category and Tayla Nortje claimed gold in the U/12 riding 6 minutes quicker than her nearest competitor in the 20km.

The toughest race of the weekend was the 20km Time Trial. It also proved to be the favourite and it saw podiums across the board. Damon Halderman won the U23 category missing the fastest time of the day by 5 seconds. In the Elite category, Samantha Sanders and Justin Victor both came 2^nd, Martin Oosthuizen claimed his 2^nd bronze in the Junior category, Tayla Nortje cleaned up again in U/12. Bosseau Boshoff showed his years of pedigree by winning the Vet Men’s category despite having lost fitness due to illness. Brett Coats won the 50 – 55 category.

Sunday kicked off with a gruelling 5km Hill Climb time trial. Emily Clarke came 3^rd in the Elite Women’s category, Martin Oosthuizen came 2^nd in the Junior category, Tayla Nortje 2^nd in the U/12 category and Brett Coates won the 50 – 55.

The weekend was wrapped up with the 20 min + a lap Criterium. The racing was intense and exciting, each group finishing off in a sprint. In the Elite Women’s race Samantha Sanders broke away in a powerful sprint 2 3rds into the final lap claiming 1^st place followed by Dalene van der Leek and Amy McDougall in 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. Damon Halderman secured his 3^rd gold when he won the U23 category again. Justin Victor came 2^nd in the Elite men’s race, Martin Oosthuizen 2^nd in the junior category, Jaco Botha came 3^rd in the 30 – 34 category and Tayla Nortje claimed her final gold in the U/12 category.

Damon Halderman deservedly won sportsman of the year 2014 and 16 medals were won all together by Team Valencia, as usual, the athletes showed an amazing team spirit and camaraderie.

Next up for the team in the XCO provincial champs to be held at Mankele Bike Park.