Nic White wins Cycle Challenge in last race as full-time pro

Sunday, 21 November 2010 15:36

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Lightning strikes for second time

Nic White (Medscheme) turned the South African cycling clock back 14 years on Sunday when he time trialled to his second victory in the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge.
White also won the inaugural Cycle Challenge 14 years ago and what makes his second victory even more special is the fact that it was his last race as a full-time professional.

He will still be racing with the elites next year but the big difference will be that for the first time he’ll be busy with an eight hour work day. And that means, as White puts it, – his “day time” training career has come to an end.

Next year White will be working for Andrew McLean at Cyclelab. There is a good chance, if it should become a reality, that he might also be the mentor of a South African u.23-side.

“It would be a nice way for me to give something back to the sport if I can work with the young riders. There is no need for them to make the same mistakes I made as a cyclist. But working full time will mean that my fitness levels will never be the same again.”

With White’s victory Medscheme proved beyond all doubt that they are South Africa’s finest cycling team. When it comes to winning the big races they are in a class of their own.

Not only did White win, but Arran Brown finished second and Malcolm Lange third. It has never happened that riders from one team dominated the Cycle Challenge to such an extent.

Medscheme made further South African cycling by becoming the first team ever to win all three big local one day Classics – the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, MTN Amashova and the Cycle Challenge – for two consecutive years.

The riders in the blue and white put all the other teams on the back foot at St Andrews Road when a breakaway of 15 riders went clear. Seven of the escapees were from Medscheme, which meant that, from then on, they were in total control.

Waylon Woolcock (Medscheme) attacked 20km from the finish and the moment he was caught White launched the counter. To his surprise nobody reacted which enabled him to ride away.

He rode the last 12km on his own. Dennis van Niekerk (EMG) was the only rider that made a serious attempt to chase White down but it was to no avail.

With White away Medscheme had all the other teams in checkmate. Brown and Lange had the luxury of just sitting on and saving their legs for the bunch sprint to the finish.

“What a way to finish off my career,” said an elated White. “I am overwhelmed and extremely proud of our team. Team work is a combination of hard work and consistent training and we have worked our way up to this really high point.

“I am very thankful to Medscheme and to my teammates for supporting me to victory. This win is dedicated to all of them as well as my family and fans.”

Lange was equally thrilled about White’s victory.  “Nic’s win is the cherry on top to ending a career in professional cycling. Nic and I have cycled together since 1997 and it has truly been an honour to have such an esteemed and passionate colleague by my side over these 13 years ,” said Lange.

Brown also made it clear if there is one rider who deserved to win it was White. “Nic is one the most unselfish riders I have ever met.

“For him it is always about what is best for the team. He won’t hesitate to sacrifice himself if he thinks it would benefit the team. I am not ashamed to say that during the last two years I would not have won as many races if it was not for Nic.”

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

Released by SupaCycling

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