LOCAL HEROES
THE CDC CONQUERORS
A team of 12 motivated young cyclists tackled South Africa’s premier
endurance road cycling event as Team Coronation Ride2Live. We caught
up with them after the Coronation Double Century to find out how they
fared on the tough mountain roads around Swellendam. B Y R E G A R D T B O T E S
Left to right: Thabo Mahlakaro, Peter Phala, Quentin Jewatzchewitz, Christopher Sehlangu, Thabang Mothlothlong, Vussi Marenene,
Tshepiso Sehloho, Mzuvukile Fayo, Kenneth Ncube, Yibanathi Ncedana, Hendrick Mashamaite and Kabelo Kabelo Mokgolobotho.
he Coronation Double
Century (CDC) has become
one of the most iconic races
on the South African cycling
calendar, a premier endurance road
cycling event that sees teams of 12 battle
it out over an undulating 202km through
the majestic Swellendam region.
Unfortunately iconic races aren’t
always accessible to development
riders because of fi nancial and
transport constraints. However, in last
T
year’s edition, a group of development
cyclists’ dreams of taking part in this
gruelling race were made a reality
when they were off ered a place in
team Coronation Ride2Live. In 2017,
Coronation Fund Managers sponsored
a team of seven to take part in the
event and, following the commitment
shown by the riders, the company once
again partnered with Ride2Live to put
together a team for the 2018 race – and
increased the size of the team to a full
complement of 12 riders.
The challenging race went well, and
everything went according to plan.
The team remained loyal to their goal
of fi nishing the race as one with all 12
members – yet they still improved on
their previous results. In 2017, the team
fi nished in 07:04:39, while in 2018 they
were all over the line in 06:36:31, earning
them the Charles Milner medal. It was
a testament to true team work and
camaraderie.
PROUD PARTNERS OF
DEVELOPMENT
platform
56 | TO U R
D E F R A NC E 2019
DEVELOPMENT
platform
DEVELOPMENT
platform