McGregor leads Berg in yellow jersey
2006-07-13
DEFENDING champion Hank McGregor in no uncertain terms made his intentions clear when he won the time trial ahead of the Berg River Canoe Marathon which got underway in Paarl yesterday.
McGregor won the four kilometre time trial from the Paarl Canoe Club to the Dal Josaphat Bridge on Tuesday in a time of 22 minutes and 41 seconds.
This is the fastest time in the three year history of the race that this aspect has been incorporated into the Isuzu Berg. McGregor has won all three of those time trials.
“It has always been a prestigious factor to have the yellow jersey going into this race,” said McGregor.
“Everyone has to race hard during the time trial because you can’t afford to start in the second row tomorrow. On a low river like this it’s especially critical to be up front.”
A group of 66 paddlers took part in the time trial which is designed to seed the top bracket of paddlers before the start of the race.
As the time trial winner, McGregor was awarded one boat length headstart at yesterday’s start.
Hot on the Durbanite’s heels was Paarlite Gert van Deventer in 23:30,02.
Van Deventer is also one of this year’s big contenders for the title.
After yesterday’s start in cold and rainy conditions, it was Van Deventer who initially led the break-away bunch at the Long Street Bridge.
Paddling with him were another Paarlite, Pieter-Willem Basson, as well as McGregor and Ernest van Riet.
At Skooltjie, some 22km into the race, the leading bunch consisted of McGregor, Gert van Deventer, Sven Bruss and Paul Marais.
Following one minute behind was a group consisting of Van Riet, Ryno Armdorf, Edgar Boehm, PW Basson and Chris van Deventer.
The first leg, which ended at Zonquasdrift, was won by Hank McGregor. He was followed two seconds later by Gert van Deventer and Paul Marais (five minutes behind).
The 169 paddlers will finish the race at Velddrif on Saturday.
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