The retirement of three women in the past three months has left the race for the woman’s title wide open in Sunday’s PowerAde Dome2Dome Cycling Spectacular.
Anke Erlank-Moore was the first to announce her retirement, was followed four weeks later by Chrissie Viljoen calling it a day, and then news came in two weeks ago that 2007 national champion Ronel van Wyk had decided to pack away her bike for good.
But in a turnabout, this severe blow to professional women’s cycling has simultaneously opened the door for a host of young riders to stake their claim in the sport.
Two experienced warhorses Marissa van der Merwe and Anriëtte Schoeman (both Proline) are left flying the flag for the old guard against the likes of Lynnette Burger (Cyclelab), Minnette Naude (Harmony), Cherise Taylor, Arien Torsius, Yolandi du Toit (all Konica Minolta) as well as the exciting youngsters in the Cbist Racing set-up.
There is a lot at stake for these women in Sunday’s event with discussions on team set-ups for next year already taking place in the corridors of South African cycling.
The Proline team have numbers on their side and have every chance of claiming the victory, but standing squarely in their way is a bunch of motivated youngsters.
"All three riders that have retired are going to be missed, but having said that I can promise you that the Dome2Dome will be no pushover for the Proline girls," said Arien Torsius.
"Actually it is not difficult to predict what’s going to happen on Sunday. Cherise and I are going to race to win, and that means to attack furiously. That’s the only way to race. We learnt this the hard way over the past two years in Europe."
Torsius realises that they are at a distinct disadvantage with Proline’s strength in numbers and experience. "It means Cherise and I will have to race cleverly, but I think the undulating course suites our riding styles."
Before tackling the Dome2Dome there is another battle Torsius needs to win. "I really couldn’t believe my luck when I flew back from Europe on Sunday.
"I got stuck next to a guy with a cold. Every time he coughed I cringed, because I knew what was going to happen next. At one stage during our flight I thought about strangling the guy.
"And yes, I did fall ill. For most of the week I have been battling with a cold. But I am confident that I will be fighting fit on Sunday.
"I have a lot of kilometres in my legs, so the lack of proper training in the final week leading up to the event doesn’t bother me." According to Torsius she took part in nearly 30 races during her stint in Europe.
"Although my role in our team (Rapha-Condor) was mostly restricted to that of domestique, I learned a lot about what it takes to win races."
The PowerAde Dome2Dome Cycling Spectacular (which coincides with SporteX) consists of a 116km National Classic Cycling Road Race (an Argus Seeding), the 80 km and 40km Mountain bike displays, and a Toddler and Kiddies Race and Play area.
Late entries and number collection:
Friday 14th September, 10h00 – 18h00
Saturday 15th September, 09h00 – 18h00
Entries and Number collections at the Coca-Cola Dome, corner Olievenhout & Northumberland Roads, Honeydew.
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