Coetzee wins WPP 6 Elite Men’s race

WINDHOEK, 29 OCT – Drikus Coetzee won the 100 kilometre Elite Men’s race in the 2018 Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Series Six (6) cycling competition on Sunday.
He won the competition for the second consecutive year with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes and 47 seconds (2:22:47) in seven laps.
Coetzee beat second-placed Chiponeni ‘Fiffy’ Kashululu, who came home in 2:24:33.
Third place was Ingram Cuff, who clocked a time of 2:24:54.
Speaking to Nampa on Monday, Coetzee said the competition was tough as during the race, the strong headwinds started blowing, making it difficult for the competitors.
“About six riders including me broke out from the rest at the end of the first lap. From there, I kept a steady pace the whole race as I managed to stay away from the rest of the pack,” Coetzee explained.
He said the fact that he had not trained the whole week after arriving from South Africa where he participated in the Cape Pioneer Track Competition, where he finished eighth, made it tough for him as he was fatigued.
“I did not touch the bike for the whole week. I did not have any clue on how my legs would recover. I just took my chance. It is a good feeling especially winning the same race back to back,” he said.
Coetzee added that he is now on a positive following the struggles he faced in Cape Town with his bicycle, adding that his main aim is to win the upcoming Nedbank Desert Dash Competition.
“I want to challenge Konny Looser who has won the Desert Dash three times in a row. I will be riding solo this year. I have tasted victory in the Dash in a two-man team last year and I am aiming for a good position.”
Coetzee has so far participated in 32 races this year, finishing in 25 podium positions.
In the women’s category, Anneke Steenkamp beat Michaela Ham and Antje Tietz to claim the title with a time of 2:06:45 in five laps.
(NAMPA)