Rossouw and Grove claim dramatic titles
FREDERICK Rossouw and S’annara Grove emerged as the winners of a dramatic Underberg Gran Fondo gravel cycling race last Saturday, July 26, after a “scary” crash robbed the spectators of what was developing into a fascinating men’s race.
About halfway through the tough 140km course, race leader Josh Rheeders crashed heavily and ended up unconscious on the road.
The chasing group, made up of last year’s winner Tyronne White, Kevin Benkenstein and Warren Moolman, arrived and together with other riders helped Moolman until an ambulance arrived.
“I think it was probably one of the scariest things I’ve come across in my riding career,” said White.
White, Benkenstein and Bradly Thompson then rode into the finish together, with the results putting White second, Benkenstein third and Thompson fourth in the men’s category.
However, in that group was Grove, who was thus officially fourth overall and a clear winner of the women’s title.
Riding for CJ O’Shea Racing team in England, the current South African road race champion’s time of 5:00:05 was a staggering 41 minutes clear of runner-up Rouxda Grobler, with defending champion Sanchia Malan another seven minutes behind.
After finishing just ahead of Grove, White was clearly impressed with the newly crowned women’s champion.
Rossouw said he left the accident and then rode the rest of the way by himself.
“Once the ambulance came, I left and stayed away by myself, so I was very chuffed that I managed to stay away,” said the winner.
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