16 May 2014
South Africa’s track cyclists have been on song in Asia, putting together an impressive collection of medals from the first two events of three in the South East Asia Grand Prix Series in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The first event, which was held on 10 and 11 May, saw 18-year-old Joshua Buchel claim two silver medals in the junior points and junior scratch races.
In the elite women’s omnium, Maroesjka Matthee claimed a bronze medal, with French woman Laurie Berthon claiming gold before rain prevented further competition on the outdoor track.
Gold
The second Grand Prix took place on 13 May, with South African riders picking up more gold medals, including gold.
The elite men team pursuit event saw Kellan Gouveris, Evan Carstens. Theuns van der Bank and Morne van Niekerk race to victory, claiming the win ahead of Uzbekistan, with the hosts, Malaysia, in third.
The junior men’s team of Waylin Young, Joshua Buchel, Graeme Ockhuis and Stefan de Bod added a second gold, winning the junior men’s team pursuit by over four seconds over two Malaysian teams, which rounded out the podium.
Individual races
In the individual races, 18-year-old Stefan de Bod claimed a gold medal in the points’ race, while Waylin Young, a year his junior, won a silver medal in the junior men’s Scratch race.
HB Kruger claimed a silver medal in the elite men’s points’ race, while Maroesjka Matthee settled for a bronze medal in the elite women’s points’ race.
Rain once again forced the remainder of the events to be halted.
The third Grand Prix takes place on Friday.
SAinfo reporter
