USSA National Student tour 2013

Race report by Jacques Horn

Stage 1

It was quite a chilly start for stage 1 of the USSA National student champs. It was a 83km road stage starting at Altona Primary School. The Tukkies Cycling team came into the stage with a clear and precise game plan; control the bunch and get the stage win. 

The stage started off with a couple of little attacks with Tuks rider, Henning Jooste in amongst the action. The first real break that stuck was from Tuks rider, Jacques Horn. After being reeled in by the bunch just after the 20km mark, the Tuks cycling team started controlling the bunch with a very strong showing from the entire team. 

Henning Jooste then launched another attack and stretched the advantage out to just over 1 minute with the help of his 2 breakaway compatriots. The bunch came back together and after some good work from the Tukkies Cycling team, Willie Smit managed to take the stage win and moved into the first yellow jersey for the 2013 tour.  

Stage 2

Stage 2 of the 2013 National Student Tour was to be the first showing of who would be the real contenders to win the general classification at the end of the tour. The 15km individual time trail started at the South Campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and took the riders along a rolling course showing the beautiful coastline of the Easter Cape.

The Tukkies cycling team had a very impressive show of force at the time trail with 4 of our riders placing in the top 6

Willie Smit won the second stage and stretched his overall lead over the rest of the field. Kevin Patten claimed 2nd,  Viehann du Plessis 5th and Jacques Horn 6th

Stage 3

The 3rd Stage was undoubtably going to be the hardest stage of the 2013 tour. The 120km route took the riders along the time trail route and then turned inland where the road turned towards the heavens. It was definitely the stage where you would lose the tour if your legs were not up to the challenge.

The stage started at 9 am on the South Campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in wet conditions. With the temperatures just below 12 degrees and the rain coming down quite hard, the peloton rolled out with the Tukkies cycling team leading the bunch. Once again Tukkies riders, Henro van Rooyen, Thomas Weeks and Jacques Horn were right on the front controlling the bunch and covering all of the attacks.

As the bunch approached the first climb at 80km to go the bunch exploded with riders being dropped. Once again Tukkies showed their strength and class with all our riders making it over the climb. The weather conditions were getting worse every minute with a very strong crosswind adding to the  rain and freezing temperatures.

With 60km to go Willie Smit, decided to attack and try to extend his lead in the yellow jersey competition. Willie managed to break away from the main bunch and took along 3 other riders. They worked well together stretching their lead to over 4 minutes. 

With 15km to go Willie launched a solo effort and left his fellow break away riders. Willie won the stage quite comfortably and stretched his overall lead. It was once again an impressive show put on by the Tukkies Cycling team.

Stage 4

Stage 4 saw much better weather for the riders as we prepared to tackle the 2.7km individual hill climb time trial just outside Port Elizabeth. 

The Tukkies cycling team once again showed their strength with two riders  placing in the Top5. Willie Smit took his 4th stage victory and he looked to have sealed his overall victory for the tour with only 1 stage to go. The team also moved into the overall lead for the team competition after another dominant performance

Stage 5

The final stage for the 2013 edition of the National Student Tour was a 45minute Criterium. The team was looking forward to defend our Green and Yellow jerseys as well as the overall team lead.

The race started off with lots of attacks from the main bunch but was brought back by the Tukkies Cycling team riders who once again showed they were the top team at the tour. Willie Smit won the first intermediate sprint which sealed his overall victory in the green jersey competition. 

The team controlled the race with Henro van Rooyen, Thomas Weeks and Jacques Horn once again showing what team work looks like. Late in the race Thomas Weeks from Tukkies Cycling broke away and build up a little bit of a lead but unfortunately it was to no avail. Viehann du Plessis launched an attack of his own soon afterwards but was caught with about 3 laps to go.

In the sprint Willie Smit was just nipped on the line and unfortunately could not complete his clean sweep at this year’s tour! Willie did hang on for second place on the stage and thus he sealed his victory in the general classification. The team also sealed their victory in the team classification

Conclusion

The 2013 National Student Tour was a huge success for the Tukkies cycling team. We went to the tour with high expectations and with the help of all out riders we turned those expectations into results! 

The Tukkies cycling team, comprising of Willie Smit, Henro van Rooyen, Kevin Patten, Jacques Horn, Viehann du Plessis, Thomas Weeks and Henning Jooste won the overall team competition while Willie Smit managed to take 4 stage victories and won the sprinters competition! Willie Smit also won the Yellow jersey at the tour. 

It was a very dominant performance from the Tukkies cycling team and we would also like to thank all of our sponsors, without them this would not have been possible. Our sponsors were: Garden Court Kings Beach, Pro Admin, Primi, Mercedes Wonderboom, Electro flame, Cycle Fix and EOH. All of these sponsors were  unbelievable. 

We would also like to thank Wimpie Gouws for managing the team. Your insight and support made this team work together and achieve these great results.