If there was a category for exceptional athletes that nobody remembers, Timothy David Jones would certainly fit the bill. Tim Who? Yes, that would be the question posed by many a pro cycling fan when the soft-spoken Zimbabwean cyclist's name pops up. But look him up in Cycling Archive's exceptional rider database and one might be taken aback by a palmares and team history that is as eclectic as it is lengthy.
Tim was a regular presence in South African pro racing in the mid-nineties, guesting for various local teams in races like the Giro del Capo and Boland Bank Tour. After a few years spent in Italy, he caused a major upset at the 1998 edition of the Giro del Capo, not only winning the overall but holding off a full strength Team Saeco, which in turn included the likes of future star and Le Tour stage winner Salvatore Commesso. Already riding for the famously low-budgeted and everlasting Amore e Vita squad, Tim was racing this tour as part of the Zimbabwean National Team. Not to be disrespectful, but his teammates were simply there to make up the numbers and the by-now experienced 'Euro pro' was effectively riding as a solo unit against everybody else.
So it was surprising to some (but not all) that Tim rode into the leader's jersey on the much feared and attritive circuit race around Cape Town's District Six on the Friday. A revelation of the race, said Phil Ligget of the young Zimbabwean and much was expected in the closing two days: the much anticipated uphill TT on Signal Hill and Sunday's Argus Cycle Tour, which doubled as the final stage of the Giro del Capo.
Saturday afternoon saw the usual blood, sweat and tears up The Glen. Five-and-a-kilometres of uphill starting at Camps Bay High School would usually be the race deciding stage, but this was not necessarily the case for Tim Jones. The plucky 'Zimbo' put on a monumental display up Signal Hill, urged on by the hooter of his support 'bakkie' adorned in the Zimbabwe flag, winning the stage and gaining valuable seconds. The final day should have been a procession for most riders in that position, protected by their teams and retaining overall GC in Sunday's race around 'Die Skiereiland.' But Tim was on his own and, worse for him, it rained on that final day.
How did he do, I wondered, as I rode in that rainy 'Argus.' Hearing the announcer calling for the Zimbabwean team manager to please come to the podium got my hopes up, as did the sight of a rather miserable looking Commesso walking along Victoria rode resplendent in red Saeco kit munching a 'boerewors' roll. Then the announcement was made: Tim was announced as winner of the 1998 Giro del Capo, rain, Italians and all. Amazing when one stops to think about it really.
So whatever happened to Tim Jones? A long career racing for primarily second-division Italian teams followed. Victories in the Tour of Slovenia and Italian one day races followed, as did a top-15 overall placing in the Tour de Suisse. A solid career on the Continent yes, but one almost unnoticed by the Southern African cycling media.
Where is Tim Jones? Tim, if you read this, do get in touch.
