This week the South African National Road Championships get underway in Mbombela (previously known as Nelspruit). The Men's elite time trial will take place on Thursday 5th of February while the road race is on Saturday 7th of February.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will send a strong quartet of riders to defend the national road race title which Louis Meintjes won in Westville last year. As defending road race champion, Meintjes will be joined by Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Jacques Janse van Rensburg and Jay Thomson. All 4 riders will also compete in the time trial race.

Many will remember how Meintjes and Thomson tagged teamed their efforts to get one over on Daryl Impey (Orica-Greenedge) last year. This year Impey returns as the race favourite for the national championships after an impressive performance at the Tour Down Under. Impey is also the defending national time trial champion. The local domestic racing scene is also well underway and one can expect a strong challenge to come from Europcar SA, Team Abantu, Bonitas and the MTN-Qhubeka Feeder Team.

The road race will cover 180km's and has no serious climbs but a few undulations will be covered during the 13 lap race. The customary Mbombela heat and wind can once again be expected, adding another dynamic to the race. The 42.7km time trial course is definitely not flat and fast, so a well measured effort will be key in this event.

"Both races are being run over lapped routes and neither really suit me," Meintjes said. "There is a small climb on the road race lap but I think the race is most likely to come down to small bunch sprint. This should be pretty ideal for Reinardt, its the same for the time trial. Although you also never know with South African racing, it's always such a lottery as the tactics aren't the same as what they are in Europe. I'm feeling good though, the form isn't super high but it's okay. I'm just feeling a little sad because there is a chance I might lose my jersey."

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung TT Start Times (CAT)
06:46 - Jacques Janse van Rensburg
06:48 - Jay Thomson
06:49 - Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
06:51 - Louis Meintjes

Road Race Start Time
The road race starts on Saturday, 7 February at 06:20 (CAT). You can find course details at www.cyclingsa.com/2015-sa-road-champs.