The inaugural Msunduzi Road Challenge has been given the thumbs up by cyclists and organisers alike.
The road cycling and time trial event was declared a perfect dress rehearsal for next year's all important race which doubles as the UCI World Cycling Tour Final in August 2012.
The routes for all three distances of the road race as well as the time trial course were extremely well received by all the riders taking part.
All agreed that while they were hilly and somewhat demanding, the routes were most certainly fair as well.
“I think we all found it very hot out there and quite windy on the up hills but the route was great!” said Maurice Connor of the 90km route.
“It was a tough race but a great route that was challenging throughout,” added Mark Langman having finished first in the 50-54
years category.
Road cycling legend Andrew McLean said organisers were on the right track as far as preparations ahead of next year's final go and rated the route right up there on an international stage.
“I found the road race and time trial routes fantastic. No huge climbs but enough to make it challenging,” said McLean.
He was the only rider to post a sub-40 minute time during the men's time trial. – Sapa