South African Daryl Impey has successfully defended his national time trial title today in Wartburg, making it his 5th victory in event. 

Over the last six years, Impey has claimed the national honours in every edition of the race he has started (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.)

Coming in to the event as the clear favourite, Impey lived up to his expectations finishing the 48km route in 1hour 1minute and 23 seconds, giving him a 44 second advantage over second place Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (Team Dimension Data.)

"I'm pretty happy that each time I've started the elite champs I've been able to win," said Impey "There's always pressure coming here, beacuse I've always been the favourite, so its a relief to come back here and back it up."

After winning four previous national time trial titles Impey entered the race with high ambitions, confident of his form after strong performances in last months Santos Tour Down under.

"I've worked really hard in December and January coming off Tour Down Under. After the crash I had, I needed a few extra days to take it easier and I freshened up nicely in to this.

"I had a pretty tough fight out there from Reindardt, so I was just really happy to finish it off today and deliver when it mattered."

Being back in South Africa able to race in his home counrty, Impey was grateful to have support around him and thanked people with taking the victory.

"It was great to have Miha (Peterlid) and Dean Edwards in the car following me, it kind of motivated me even more. They put a lot of effort in behind the scenes so it's nice to have support from the team and Dean. I am really pleased to be able to win on South African soil."

The South African National Road Race Championships takes place on Sunday 14th February, when Impey will be back in action aiming to bring the national road jersey to ORICA-GreenEDGE.

Successful day for Dimension Data

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka boys rounded out the podium with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg in 2nd and Johann van Zyl in 3rd.

It would be an early morning start for the elite time trial race with the U23 event following directly afterward. In the elite race the had 4 riders challenging for the title that Impey has made his own over the last number of years. The 48km undulating course would be a tough test against the clock and while Van Zyl and then Janse van Rensburg both took the hot seat for a short while, Impey came home in 1:01'23" to win his 5th ITT title.

In the U23 race, run over the same course as the elite time trial, the Dimension Data for Qhubeka Continental Team had 3 starters. Coming off a 3-week training camp, the young talents were absolutely flying. Stefan de Bod, at just 19 years of age, would clock a time 12 seconds off Impey's elite time to win the U23 title. Ryan Gibbons and Keagan Girdlestone ensured the U23 podium was swept clean by the Dimension Data for Qhubeka Continental Team, with 2nd and 3rd respectively.

"Today went pretty well," van Rensburg said. "I was satisfied with my effort as this was the course we did the continental champs on last year, and today I was over a minute quicker. I still don't like losing though, so the result is definitely bitter sweet. It was great to see some of the younger guys in our continental team doing so well though. Stefan de Bod was incredible. We look ahead to the road race on Sunday where we will try to defend our title."

"It's really a good feeling to be the U23 time trial champion," De Bod said. "It hasn't really sunk in yet I don't think, maybe it will when I step onto the podium in a few minutes. This is my first national time trial title, I have won a road race title as a junior but never a time trial title and it has always been one of my goals to do so. It's also a really nice feeling to have done the second fastest time of the day.

"We had prepared really well for the TT, coming here a few days ago to recon the course. I knew exactly how to pace myself over the many ups and downs. I was really nervous today because it is a really long time trial but I just started easy the first 15km, trying to not overcook it and it worked. I am very happy with the result and it's a good way to start the year with the team and for Qhubeka."

Louis Meintjes disappointed

Louis Meintjes ended the race in fourth for Lampre-Merida.

“I’m a bit disappointed, I would have liked to ride a bit better today," he commented. "I  just didn’t get into a good rhythm, even if my legs are good. I missed a place on the podium, but it was three really good time trial riders in front of me. I’d like to ride better on Sunday in the road race."