Velits becomes first Slovakian to win Giro

Never considered as a serious professional rider in his home country, Team Konica Minolta’s 20-year-old Slovakian rider Peter Velits picked up his biggest prize when he won the 15th edition of the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Giro del Capo on Sunday.

Velits had tentatively held onto the overall leader’s pink jersey after winning the second stage on Thursday against stiff competition from big names like Tiaan Kannemeyer, Ryan Cox, David George and Darren Lill. “For myself and the team it was important that we won the second stage because it gave a lot of motivation.The win made us believe in ourselves even though a lot of other teams did not think we could do it,” Velits said.For Velits winning the Giro was a lifelong ambition achieved but one that is only the start to of greater things.”We were never really considered.This entire week everyone has been talking about Kannemeyer and George but forgot about Peter,” said Barry Austin, Team Konica Minolta’s manager.Velits ruffled the feathers but sadly feels that his victory will not be celebrated in his home country like it will be in his adopted country South Africa.”For Slovakia this means nothing but the win is important to South Africa because we are a South African-sponsored team.Personally I am very happy to have won a tour in South Africa as I consider this as my second home,” Velits said.So strong and consistent was Velits’ performance throughout the week that his name featured prominently in all the categories — even in the King of the Mountain where Velits surprised himself by coming second in the 5.5km Signal Hill time- trial climb.”I am not a very good climber, in fact I don’t like climbing at all.Everyone was talking about how guys like George and Kannemeyer will make up time on me up Signal but I was motivated enough to record the second fastest time.”Velits managed to finish second in the overall King of the Mountain behind Team Nedbank’s Darren Lill while coming third in the overall points competition behind Steffen Radochla and Malcolm Lange.Cox conceded that it was really on the final stage of the Giro that his team-mates realised that they needed to attack Velits, a clever ploy but one that proved two days late.”We decided to put pressure on Minolta and Peter but it didn’t really work.I guess you can’t win them all,” Cox said.The only consolation for Cox and the rest of his Barloworld team was winning the team competition.This year’s Giro will be remembered for how the big names failed to impress but more importantly how the 20-year-old Velits rode the race of his life.A win that should make the world stand up and take Velits seriously.-Nampa-Sapa”For myself and the team it was important that we won the second stage because it gave a lot of motivation.The win made us believe in ourselves even though a lot of other teams did not think we could do it,” Velits said.For Velits winning the Giro was a lifelong ambition achieved but one that is only the start to of greater things.”We were never really considered.This entire week everyone has been talking about Kannemeyer and George but forgot about Peter,” said Barry Austin, Team Konica Minolta’s manager.Velits ruffled the feathers but sadly feels that his victory will not be celebrated in his home country like it will be in his adopted country South Africa.”For Slovakia this means nothing but the win is important to South Africa because we are a South African-sponsored team.Personally I am very happy to have won a tour in South Africa as I consider this as my second home,” Velits said.So strong and consistent was Velits’ performance throughout the week that his name featured prominently in all the categories — even in the King of the Mountain where Velits surprised himself by coming second in the 5.5km Signal Hill time- trial climb.”I am not a very good climber, in fact I don’t like climbing at all.Everyone was talking about how guys like George and Kannemeyer will make up time on me up Signal but I was motivated enough to record the second fastest time.”Velits managed to finish second in the overall King of the Mountain behind Team Nedbank’s Darren Lill while coming third in the overall points competition behind Steffen Radochla and Malcolm Lange.Cox conceded that it was really on the final stage of the Giro that his team-mates realised that they needed to attack Velits, a clever ploy but one that proved two days late.”We decided to put pressure on Minolta and Peter but it didn’t really work.I guess you can’t win them all,” Cox said.The only consolation for Cox and the rest of his Barloworld team was winning the team competition.This year’s Giro will be remembered for how the big names failed to impress but more importantly how the 20-year-old Velits rode the race of his life.A win that should make the world stand up and take Velits seriously.-Nampa-Sapa