VERA Adrian rode the race of her life to win the gold medal in the Individual Time Trial at the African Cycling Championships in Casablanca, Morocco on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Adrian won the gold medal by the narrowest of margins, finishing a mere 1,01 seconds ahead of Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu of Rwanda.
Adrian completed the 31km time trial in 46 minutes 47,21 seconds, with Girubunto coming second in 46:48 and Samantha Sanders of South Africa third a further 10 seconds behind in 46:58.
According to Vera’s father, Rolf, who is also the Namibian team manager, Vera completed the event at an astonishing average time of 40,8km per hour.
The outcome was in the balance till the end but Adrian was in great form and improved as the race continued and a superb final stretch saw her pipping her Rwandan opponent to the gold medal.
Adrian was elated with the result and thanked her team mate Michelle Vorster, her father Rolf and her coach Hans du Toit for their support.
“Thank you all for the support. It would not have been possible without Michelle, Rolf and Hans. You guys are amazing! From fixing my bike last night till 12 and fixing me up with a radio, thanks a mill!
It was the first time that Adrian had won gold at the African Championships at her fourth attempt.
In 2012 she won a bronze medal in the Individual Time Trial in Burkina Faso; in 2013 she won bronze in the Individual Time Trial and silver in the Road Race in Egypt; and in 2015 she won silver in the Team Time Trial with team mates Irene Steyn and Michelle Vorster.
Adrian and Vorster will now compete in the road race on Friday where they will attempt to win a spot for Namibia at the 2016 Olympic Games. South Africa has already qualified for the Olympics so the first nation after them will win a spot for the Rio Olympics.
