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Catherine makes podium despite chaotic finale
FORMER Whitby woman and top British cyclist Catherine Williamson said she loved the "aggressive nature" of South African racing after claiming her second podium in three weeks the 107km Ecclesiate Berge en Dale Classic in Krugersdorp.
Williamson, one of three overseas signings for the newly-formed Team bizhub, emerged from a "messy" sprint to finish third behind Ashleigh Moolman and Carla Swart.
"The girls went from quite far out," she said afterwards.
"There were several attacks in the closing two or three kilometres and I focused on latching onto the right move."
The 27-year-old – who finished fourth in the British championships last year – said they were caught up among some of the men's finishers, which made the finish chaotic and difficult to judge.
"I felt good throughout and am happy with a top-three finish," said Williamson, who recently won the Caltex Sunny Hill Classic in Bloemfontein, her first race for Team bizhub.
She said the team's tactics were to wait until the final 30 km before launching a serious assault, but things worked out differently after a group of four had gone clear at the start.
The breakaways – Cherise Taylor, Joanna van de Winkel, Robyn de Groot and Lylanie Lauwrens – worked well together to establish a two-minute lead over the first chase group, which included Williamson and the rest of her team.
"We weren't too concerned initially, but became alarmed at the rate at which the gap grew," said Catherine.
"As we were the only team to miss out, it was our responsibility to get the race together again."
The gap was down to just over a minute – and dwindling – when the leaders disastrously took a wrong turn-off, which put paid to any chances they might have had.
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
