Wesley Augustyn (Mecer NMMU) says his elder brother’s exploits in the Tour de France will inspire him when defending his overall lead in the third leg of the Jaco Rademeyer Criterium Series at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on Sunday.
“His (John-Lee’s) footsteps are too big to follow just yet, but I hope to put in a good performance nevertheless,” said the 19-year-old, who cemented his lead with a fine victory in the second leg a few weeks ago.
Having just returned from the SASSU tour in Stellenbosch, where he placed in the top ten overall, Augustyn believes he will be ready for what he expects will be a “very aggressive” race.
“I will feel like I have a huge target on my back,” he said this week. “But my team will work hard to neutralise most of the attacks so that I can focus my attentions on the danger men.
“Riders like André Burger (Coimbra PE Club) and Wayne Pheiffer (Wayne Pheiffer Cycles) have been quiet thus far and I expect them to show themselves on Sunday.”
Although their main focus will now be to hang onto the top spot, Augustyn said his team have their sights on putting another member of the team on the podium.
Friendly City Cycling Club’s Raynard Tissink (34) and Cycle Lab’s Kevin Dorfling (31) are second and third respectively in the overall standings.
Each leg takes place over a distance of 60 kilometres plus one lap on a technical course. The series offers R8 000 in prize money with R1 200 going to the overall winner.
Sunday’s race starts at 8am.
For more information, contact Garth Botha from Action Cycles on 041 581 6499 or Theresa le Roux from the NMMU Cycling Club on 082 773 9892.
Issued by:
Full Stop Communications
Coetzee Gouws
041 368 4992
082 575 7991
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On behalf of:
Jaco Rademeyer Estates (JRE)