The 35th Dis-Chem Ride for Sight cycle race held at the Boksburg Stadium attracted 2 800 starters, reflecting an enormous 50% increase on the previous year’s entry numbers. 

There were three race distances on offer: 116 kilometres, 62 kilometres and an 8-kilometre fun ride for the less adventurous. 

A strong breakaway of six riders: Kent Main, Jaco van Dyk, Jared Hay, Christiaan Klopper, Casper Kruger, Bradley Scott and Dirk Nel opened up a near record 6-minute advantage on the peloton in the Elite Men’s race. 

Main and Scott eventually separated themselves from the other 4 riders, leaving Honeycomb Bee’s Scott to clinch the honours in a thrilling sprint finish. In doing so recording his maiden professional race victory, with Klopper filling third place. 

The women’s race was dominated by the Sandton/Cycle Nation City team, whose young newcomer Lisa Bone, in turn, recorded the biggest victory of her career, when outsprinting her highly experienced teammate Jo van de Winkel, for the honours from a two-up breakaway. 

Their team leader, the reigning National Women’s Road Champion, Carla Oberholzer, outgunned the peloton to secure a clean sweep of the  podium spots for their team. 

The race was superbly presented in 30 degree-plus conditions by Retina SA, whose main objective is to Restore The Gift Of Sight and whom have raised more than R12m from the previous renewals of the event for their amazing cause.