Dazzling Damon gets his reward

KNYSNA NEWS - The 2022 Karoo to Coast was a memorable return for the annual race that has become a staple of the South African cycling calendar.

But, while 2019 is memorable for its stormy weather, many will remember 2022 for something completely different: a very, very special show of generosity between two Knysna locals.

During the prize-giving ceremony at the end of the race, Ryan Habib was announced as the winner of a SCOTT Spark RC 900 Comp, given away by SCOTT Sports Africa for the social media post that best captured the #Karoo2Coast experience.

However, Habib elected to rather donate the brand-new bike to Knysna's highest placed finisher on the day, Damon Terblanche.

"I made the decision during the race, it was something that I wanted to do and it really wasn't a difficult decision to make," he told KPH earlier this week.

"My bike was also bought as a gift for me, so I just wanted to pay it forward. I probably have 'too much bike' for my ability, and then you get Damon who has absolutely amazing ability but not necessarily the bike to match it. So I wanted to give him a bike that could match his incredible ability, and help him develop even further."

Terblanche, 21, had started the race in the 'B' starting batch, but put in some incredible effort and rode brilliantly to clock the eighth fastest time of the day – 3:41:33. "It was a really big shock," he said on Tuesday.

"I didn't expect it at all, and to be honest, I don't think I've really found a word to describe the feeling that moment gave me. I am incredibly grateful to Ryan."

Terblanche is a product of the Knysna Sports Academy, having grown and developed within the academy's ranks before joining the AbsoluteMotion Garden Route team in 2020.

Damon Terblanche shares a wry smile as supporters cheer him on.

He had previously ridden two Karoo to Coasts, but as substitutions for riders who couldn't make the race, so this year was his first official race under his name.

"I just wanted to ride a sub-four-hour race, that was my goal. I didn't go out to push, I just listened to my body - when it told me to push, I pushed, but when it told me to hold back, I held back," Terblanche explained.

For much of his cycling career Terblanche has had to rely on borrowed gear and borrowed bikes, but not anymore, and he is looking forward to what lies ahead. "I can already feel a difference in my riding with my new bike, and I am looking forward to achieving lots of things with my new bike," he said.

Damon Terblanche reaches the crest of the Simola Hill. Photos: Blake Linder