De la Motte's grit gripped Comrades

Reality TV was unheard of 25 years ago, but the manner in which Fordyce reeled in the unfortunate De la Motte with 14km to go, then embraced the man who came closest to ending his undisputed dominance, could not have been more dramatic.

Fordyce would cement his legendary status by claiming another three titles but De la Motte, a Johannesburg accountant and the son of a liberal politician, was destined never to win, finishing runner-up to Fordyce three times between 1984 and 1987.

"I didn't initiate that handshake but people criticised me for reciprocating!" said De la Motte, 57, from Perth, where he and his family have lived for 24 years after taking the "painful decision" to emigrate in quiet protest over SA's politics.

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