Ashleigh

The elite ladies started the 99er over 108km with the vets 40plus on a new route. The race started at the Durbanville race track. From the start a various pace was set by the vets, with the top ladies right amongst them.

At 13km into the race a number of riders were left behind, mainly ladies. A breakaway by 5 vets led to a bunch chase with 6 riders going down on a sharp 90-degree turn, 37km into the race. The ladies were fortunate to just miss the crash.

As the vets were chasing the breakaway group team tactics for the ladies was impossible and the top guns of Biogen Toyota and Bizhub just made sure not to miss a break. A huge effort by the bunch to close the gap on the breakaway group caused half of the main bunch to be left behind on a long drag 87km into the race.

At this stage it was clear that the big break would come up the 3.5km steep Vissershok climb. Schoeman, Moolman Pasio and Stenerhage immediately went to the front as the bunch approached the Vissershok climb 99km into the race. Halfway up the climb continuous pressure from Team Biogen Toyota’s Schoeman and Moolman ripped the ladies group to shreds, as they were followed by Stenerhage.

Stenerhage eventually also had to succumb to the pressure and was left behind halfway up the Vissershok climb. Stenerhage was followed by Du Toit, Lise Olivier and Williams a few hundred meters behind, as Moolman Pasio and Schoeman went over the climb with 4km to go.

Stenerhage managed to close the gap on Schoeman and Moolman Pasio down the descend but could just not make contact while Du Toit, Olivier and Williams was to far back to make contact with the three leaders. The last 1km climb to the finish was a real monster. The riders had to turn right and sprint to the finish on top of this very steep climb.

Schoeman led the first 200m into the climb with her team-mate Moolman Pasio finishing off the last 600m followed by Schoeman, with Stenerhage plus-minus 150m behind. Moolman Pasio took her fourth consecutive win this year with Schoeman in second place, and Stenerhage claiming bronze.