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KNYSNA NEWS - The third instalment in the 2022 Eden Criterium Series took place on Sunday 31 July, and saw riders zipping around on their bicycles, weaving between the shops in the streets of Thesen Harbour Town.
The 2022 Criterium Series is Eden Cycling Association's initiative to introduce cyclists and communities to road cycling.
A criterium is a short, technical lap race with many corners. It tests a cyclist's fitness and bike handling skills.
Since it is a race over a short distance, it is spectator friendly and safe and, unlike a long road race, you do not have the logistical problems of road safety risks for riders.
The basis of criterium racing is fairly simple - cyclists ride the defined lap for a set time, and once this period is over, they do one more lap. Whoever is ahead when the last lap is done, is declared the winner.
The first race in the 2022 series was held in Karatara and organised by Cycleworx Sedgefield Club, and the second race was held in Mossel Bay and organised by Le Peleton Club.
The lap around Thesen Islands for the third edition of the 2022 Eden Criterium Series totalled a distance of 620m of tight, technical riding. The race was organised by local cycling outfit Absolute Motion Garden Route Club, and there were hundreds of riders competing in 19 different categories.
Shaun Mxota's chain came loose on his bicycle, and he had to carry his bike over the line. Photos: Blake Linder
The top three in each category were:
Mountain bikes
1. Jaco Ferreira
2. Ziandro Jordaan
3. Cameron McCall
U11
Girls
1. Leoné Theron
2. Alani Ferreira
Boys
1. Keagan Harris
2. RJ van Lill
3. Wayden Muller
U13 Boys
1. William Ruthven
2. Jandré van Lill
3. Noah Habib
U15
Girls
1. Hannie Vreken
2. Karli Lötter
3. Linke Oosthuizen
Boys
1. Tiaan Ferreira
2. Cuan Wildeman
3. Ferdi Botha
U17
Girls
1. Mienke Boshoff
Boys
1. Sebastian Swart
2. Gaylin Ewerts
3. Angenilo Ayford
Junior
Ladies
1. Tia Marnewick
2. Suveena Arries
3. Johanlé Bosch
Men
1. Jaco Jacobs
2. Willem Botha
3. Bjorn Uys
Elite Men
1. Matthew Leppan
2. Tristan Nortje
3. Zandré Gerber
Sub-Vet
Ladies
1. Robyn Tayelor
Men
1. JP Gerber
2. Francois de Lange
3. Gerhard van Niekerk
Vet
Ladies
1. Marike Vreken
2. Desireé Swart
3. Kirsty Weir
Men
1. Tyrone van Rooyen
2. Martin Hansson
3. Dylan Joseph
Master
Ladies
1. Christina du Plessis-Kannemeyer
2. Liz Steyn
Men
1. Rob McCall
2. Paul Micklewood
3. Nico Vreken
Grand Master
Ladies
1. Bridget Farham
Men
1. Peter Harris
2. Attie Cilliers
3. Dave Symm
The fourth event in the Eden Criterium Series will take place next Sunday, 21 August, at the NMU Saasveld Campus near George and will be hosted by Madibaz Club.
The fifth and final race of this year's series will take place at Mossdustria in Mossel Bay once more, with Le Peleton Club the hosts.
The participants in the last group of cyclists for the day set off from the starting line.
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