21 June 2012 RE: CM 200 another success for team bizhub-FCF
With Gauteng in the grip of winter, three riders from team bizhub-FCF made the trek to Knysna for the RE: CM 200 which took place from the 15th to 17th of June ...
15/03/2011 Young bizhub star shines
Team bizhub's Monique Gerber showed maturity beyond her years at the Cape Pick &
Pay Argus 109km Cycle Tour held in Cape Town on Sunday morning.
Despite having recently won both the SA u/16 time trial and road race in Port Elizabeth
where she beat the countries best junior riders. She was prevented from starting
the Argus in the woman’s seeded category By CSA's development officer Roger Bouton.
"Having already started in the woman's seeded category in the 2010 Argus, we thought
there would be no difficulty in having Monique seeded again with the ladies” said
team manager Robertson "However when we contacted Roger a decision was made not
to allow Monique to start with the other woman as they felt she was emotionally
immature". Eventually a decision was made to allow her to start in the B category
with no team vehicle support ten minutes behind the woman’s seeded category".
In spite of her disappointment of not being allowed to line up alongside her team
mates and other champions of the sport. Monique more than held her own in the B
category. Her winning time was less than 8 minutes slower than that of the Elite
ladies winner Cherise Taylor 2:49:45 with Monique riding a time of 2:56:34
Monique finished the event as the overall winner of the junior category beating
riders more than three years her senior.
"As Monique is so young we are we only allow her to race 7 or 8 100km races the
whole season" said Robertson about bizhub's new protégé, "but what people forget
is that Nicole Cooke who went on to win both the Olympics and the world road race
championships was already the British Elite National Champion at 16 years of age.
If Monique is correctly nurtured and CSA give her the necessary support she’s going
to be the next big name in SA ladies cycling".
In the Elite ladies race, bizhub's Caterine Williamson put in a consistent performance
to repeat her 3rd position of 2010. Cherise Taylor (USN) took the line in a tightly
contested sprint finish; Ashleigh Moolman (Nashua Toyota) filled the 2nd spot.
"I felt good on the day" said Catherine "but in a race like the Argus you really
have to have a bit of luck on your side, still I’m more than satisfied to be on
the podium two years in a row".
15/03/2011
