Medscheme shoots for double triple

Friday, 19 November 2010 14:44

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Medscheme aims at double wins of Big 3

Team Medscheme can make South African cycling history on Sunday if any of their riders manage to win the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge.

For one team to win all three the major South African Classics – the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, MTN Amashova and the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge – in the same calendar year takes some doing, but to defend the very same titles the next year will be truly remarkable. Team Medscheme is on the verge of achieving this elusive feat.

In 2009 Arran Brown became the first rider to win the three big Classics in the same calendar year. Due to a knee-injury he was not able to defend his Cycle Tour title this year, but Malcolm Lange ensured that the title stays in the Medscheme family by winning the sprint to the line.

Brown managed to win the Amashova in October for the second consecutive year, which means that Team Medscheme now only need one more title to prove beyond all doubt that they are South Africa’s most successful cycling team.

The team's racing statistics for the year make for impressive reading. Of the 28 one-day races (local and international) they competed in this year they managed to win 20. Their win ratio in local one day races is 68% and when it comes to international races it’s 80%. Their dominance in the sport reminds one of another all conquering team in the 1980s – the old Transvaal ‘Mean Machine’ cricket team.

In the 14-year history of the Cycle Challenge, Lange is the only rider who has been able to defend his title successfully.

Lange is the Cycle Challenge’s most successful rider to date having won Everyone’s Race no less than three times. The first time was in 2001 and then in 2002 he made history by becoming the first rider to defend his title successfully. He was also the champion in 2008.

When asked for his opinion on the Cycle Challenge, Lange had no hesitation in saying that for him it is one of the most special events on the local calendar.

“If there is one race every cyclist growing up in Johannesburg wants to win, it’s the Cycle Challenge. I have been privileged to have won it three times.

“What makes the race special is the fact that as Joburg cyclists we train on a lot of the roads that make up the Cycle Challenge route and for 364 days of the year we are involved in a battle for survival. As a cyclist there is always a chance that you can be taken out by a motorist.

“To have the streets of Johannesburg belong to us as cyclists is really something special and it’s even more special to see the support we get from the spectators along the route. It just helps to create a fantastic vibe.”

According to Lange the Cycle Challenge is definitely one of the tougher challenges on the local calendar. “The constant short climbs do take their toll on one’s legs. It’s even harder for the riders coming from the coast because of the high altitude.”

Lange describes the Cycle Challenge finish as really tricky. “You have to keep your wits about you in the final few kilometres; otherwise there is a more than good chance that you’ll crash. During last year’s elite race there was a crash going into the final corner.

“You first have to race down a really steep decent and then immediately go into a sharp right hand bend. The last few hundred metres to the finish is slightly uphill.

“I think this all adds up to levelling the playing field. The pure sprinters are certainly not the only ones with a chance of winning. In fact, I think the finish suits an all-rounder better.”

Lange admits that his preparation for the Cycle Challenge has not been ideal, because of his work commitments as Medscheme team manager.

“But I still hope to be up there riding with the leaders and if I see half a chance to take the victory I will certainly be going for it.”

For further information on the Cycle Challenge and its subsidiary events log onto www.highveld.co.za

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