Werner Schofmann closed the 2006 Copa de Ciclismo de
Mocambique in true style in the final event of the league.
The weather averaged about 30 deg. And maxed out at
about 36 deg. It was hot, windy, North wind registering 20.4Km/hr and fast
… real fast was this race. This race brought many surprises. Everyone
hoped to finish the season off with a bang.
Race referee started off the 12 competitors at 07:35.
Amazingly all the 12 big names in the sport were there to take on the
challenge, but there can only be one winner even if everyone is a champion in
his own right. The neutral zone was about 6km. The riders rode into a strong
head wind. Everyone did their fair share of the work at the front to the best
of their ability and form, Wener, James, Paulo, Carlos, Alvaro, Joao Antonio,
Jorge, Rui, Richard, Jorge and Imran. The unwritten rule was adhered to.
“If you are going to contest a win or a hot spot, then you must get out
there and help pull your own weight”.
The first sprint was hotly contested with Werner
taking the sprint from Alvaro (Zeca). James, Paulo and Imran fought for third
with a bit of body touching that almost saw Paulo and Imran hit the road. Paulo
was clearly stronger taking third, James fourth and Imran fifth.
With 20km to go to the next hot spot Alvaro decided to
ride away on his own. The chase group kept him within sights in the strong head
wind. Alvaro comfortably took the second sprint on his own uncontested. Werner
took second, Carlos third, Paulo fourth and James fifth. This second sprint
point caused the split in the bunch.
Immediately after the sprint Alvaro got caught and
dropped as a strong group of four formed at the front headed by Werner, James,
Carlos and Paulo. Meanwhile Imran caught Alvaro and lead a chase. On the slight
3km incline into the third sprint point James got left by the leading group.
The two man chase group caught and left James after the sprint point. The third
sprint respectively was in the following order Werner, Carlos, Paulo, James,
Alvaro and Imran.
The winner of the race was Werner who beat Paulo to
the line in 2:27:40. Carlos took third place 5 seconds off. Imran beat Alvaro
to sprint for fourth place in 2:31:10. James came in 2:33:00. Rui Ferreira rode
a superb race to take 7th place in 2:35:00. Joao Antonio (Betinho)
recovering from malaria came in 8th in 2:38:17. Bill Osborne 9th
in 2:41:49. Jorge Santos 10th in 2:44:05.
Most unfortunately Vicente’s chain had a loose
pin. He tried to get it fixed before the start, but was unable to do so. He
decided to ride until where the chain would take him, but that wasn’t
very far.
Werner is the new and final Sprint King walking away
with 133pts. The best climber goes to Tim Fair with 180pts. Imran settles with
the Time Trial with 276Pts. The winner of the 2006 league after 12 trials and
841.6km is Alvaro Jose Alves with 878pts, Tim Fair 726pts, Werner Schofmann
638pts, James Leggatt 604pts and Imran 589pts.