This was my journey to through the race:

There was a ton of hype surrounding the inclusion of Lance Armstrong and Daryl Impey in the 'Argus', and rightly so, as the 7 time Tour de France winner was in South Africa promoting LIVESTRONG and the JAG foundation, and after a few days of training around the Peninsula with Impey, the two of them lined up with the front group of 35000 others for the race. (LIVESTRONG blog about their day)

Everyone was anticipating getting a glimpse of Lance, and as Malcolm and I waited at the start line, Daryl made his way to stand next to us. Daryl and I go back a long way, as we stay close to each other in JHB, and he has ridden in teams with Malcolm and I before. Once Lance arrived, he stood between Daryl and I and we got meet him, as Daryl introduced the two of us. We exchanged a few words, the wind.. are we starting? It is still dark! Then once they could get the photographers out of the way, we were off! Into the tunnel of wind and up the highway!


Again, as in the previous year, the wind was blowing gales, and it was a fight to get out towards Edinburgh Drive, and stay out of the dangers in the bunch. A few attacks tried to get clear, but I rode solidly near the front, staying out of trouble and keeping an eye on who was attacking. We descended towards Edinburgh Drive, and Impey and Lance were close to me, also keeping clear of the possible trouble.

Once we neared the top of the corridor of noise and spectators, everyone shouting for Lance, a small move went clear, it contained Hanco Kachelhoffer and Waylon Woolcock (of Medscheme), David George (SAfindit.co.za) and some others, and they headed off down the Blue Route trying to gain ground. MTN Energade noticed that they had missed this move, and got organized and started to pull the group back. By Muizenberg and Boyes Drive everything was contained again, and the bunch waited.. MTN decided it would be good to control everything, so collectively rode on the front controlling all the attacks and speed through Fishoek and SimonsTown.

Smitswinkel hill was quick, but the yellow train was solidly in control, dictating the pace, and Jacques Janse van Rensburg tried his luck in attacking, and only getting a little freedom, he was eventually reeled in. The gale force wids were from behind, through Misty Cliffs, and the speed was very intense, but nearing the turn for Ocean's View, we had a plan.

Team Medscheme was poised for action, and with the turn, Neil Macdonald started it off, we accelerated out of the right-hander, and the wind was now across the road, forcing the bunch to scramble for shelter on the left of the road. With very little space, as well as a big effort from the well organized front riders, gaps began to form, and the bunch split to pieces. 14 men went clear, driven by 5 of Team Medscheme.


I was instrumental in making this move happen, and once we had seen that the gap was established, I ordered Malcolm and Rabie to sit on a bit, while Neil Macdonald, Luthando Kaka and I kept the pace high. Our companions who did not see it fit to work with us, the group included Lance Armstrong, Daryl Impey (RadioShack), David George, Rene Haselbacher (SAfindit.co.za), Tiaan Kannemeyer, Dean Edwards (House of Paint), Burry Stander (Specialized) Christoff van Heerden (MTN)and Bjorn Glasner (Kuota).

I had Neil and Luthando drive the move hard to open the gap, and once we reached Chapman's peak, they were spent. I was feeling good, best that I have in this race for many year's, and was confident that I could handle the pacemaking for as long as would be necessary, knowing that with Malcolm and Rabie present, we had a great chance of winning from this group!


I led up Chapman's, down again, nearly overdoing it on a bend or two, and then through Hout Bay, until Suikerbossie, where David George attacked the group. He was folloed closely by Impey and the rest, but I was gapped a bit, and had to keep a steady rhythm to try and get back. The crowds on the Suikerbossie Hill seem to be back in force to where they were a few years ago. Many people, and even the Swiss near the top with their cow bells! It drove me to get back to the group! Luckily there were no further attacks and Rabie kept the pace, until I got back on the descent towards Camp's Bay.


We had some assistance through the bay's as Tiaan Kannemeyer started helping, as Dean Edwards of House of Paint was still looking strong and in with a shout for the win. There was not too much to worry about, as the main bunch was around a minute further back, we just wanted to keep a good pace, so that no attacks could upset the chance of the sprinters. Rabie was waiting in reserve for that moment, but it only came in the final 2 kilometers as David George made a move. I slowly pegged him back, and then Kannemeyer closed the final gap.

We were then in the last kilometer, and Lance opened up the sprint early, for his man Impey, but with a headwind in the final straight. It was perhaps too soon, and Lange was on a good day, he timed his effort to perfection, and blasted convincingly across the line ahead of Christoff van Heerden and Daryl Impey to record his third win of this race in his career!

The result:

1. Malcolm Lange (Medscheme) 2h 39min 55sec
2. Christoff van Heerden (MTN)
3. Daryl Impey (Radioshack)
4. Burry Stander (Specialized)
5. Rene Haselbacher (SAfindit.co.za)
6. Dean Edwards (House of Paint)
7. Bjorn Glasner (Kuota)
8. Johan Rabie (Medscheme)
9. Lance Armstrong (Radioshack) +6 sec
10. Nic White (Medscheme) +24 sec


What a day, to start SA's biggest race next to Lance Armstrong, and then enjoy good sensations in the legs during the race, making my efforts count, and have my team mate finish it off as we had hoped! That was an experience!