Each year thousands of cyclists across South Africa and the world participate in the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Sunday 12 March, was no different.
Winners of the Cycle Tour included Chris Jooste, from the Men’s Elite category who completed the 109km timed race in 02:36:14 and Kim le Court who won the Women’s Elite category of 79km in 02:13:20.
Meanwhile, a teenager from Ocean View finished first in the u-15 category.
Ronaldo Levendall (13), a Grade 7 learner from Marine Primary School, completed 42km in an hour and 17 minutes.
Wayne Lawrence, principal at Marine Primary School, said they were exceptionally proud of the achievement.
“Today (13 March) we acknowledged the achievement in our assembly. I also told learners that it takes discipline, dedication and determination to succeed. We are exceptionally proud of Ronaldo, that they all finished the race and 42 km is quite an achievement too.”
Abduraghiem de Klerk, a Grade 7 teacher at the school and coach of the school’s cycling club, said eight learners participated in the Tour.
“I started this club nine years ago to give kids something positive to do after school.”
The school’s cycle club consists of 28 riders, both boys and girls. “We train every day after school, weather permitting, for about an hour and a half. Ronaldo has been part of our cycle club for three years. Two Sunday’s ago, as part of our training for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, we practiced the distance of 128km and we did it at a steady pace, not as a race but for endurance. All my time spent on the road with the kids has paid off.”
De Klerk, who turned to cycling after being an addict for many years, says after turning to cycling he wanted to help others from the community.
“I’m also from Ocean View and was an addict for 20 years. In 2005, I bought myself a bicycle, I was blessed and saved.
“Ronaldo is an example that you can make a change in a child’s life.”
The event organisers expressed satisfaction with the outcome, praising all participants for their skill and endurance.
David Bellairs, director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, said the cycle tour was a celebration of cycling and the human spirit.
“The women’s and men’s elite categories were a true testament to the passion and dedication of these athletes and we are proud to have them as part of our event.”
