First Fietstoer Goes Dutch

Podium finishers in the 101km Women’s category in the inaugural Die Burger Fietstoer (centre) are 1st Jennie Stenerhag (2.52.06), Anriette Schoeman (second, right, 2.52.09) and Jane Seggie (third, left, 2.52.09).

Riding for Dutch team Therme Skincare, Jennie Stenerhag was the first woman to cross the finish line in the inaugural Die Burger Fietstoer, already proclaimed a great success by organisers.

Over 6,000 cyclists had entered the event hosted in Stellenbosch – many of whom participating in the 101km route to improve their starting time at the 2008 Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour.

David Bellairs of the organising team described the event as a success and expressed his thanks to the participants and the communities along the route for supporting Die Burger Fietstoer.

"There were obviously some issues that one can associate with an inaugural event, and we learnt some valuable lessons today," said Bellairs after the race. "One of the biggest incidents of the day was a trench dug across the route, outside Wellington late last week.  

"And although there were undertakings to repair the obstacle prior to the event, this proved to be insufficient and caused many burst tyres, buckled wheels and pinch flats," added Bellairs.

Despite these challenges, participants describe the race as "a nice day for a bike ride", "nicely organised" and a "great end-of-season route".

Edmund Beukes, publicity manager of Die Burger – naming rights sponsor of the event – described the races as an "example of excellent collaboration between a sponsor and organiser, and a fantastic inaugural event."

"It was the perfect day for a cycling race.  Weather conditions were excellent and we had a great turnout.

"We were also extremely pleased by the buy-in and hard work of the Stellenbosch Municipality, and it was great to draw on the extensive experience of the organisers, the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust."

In a fitting sub-event to the race, a little puppy encountered some 20km from the route finish caused quite a stir when the women’s breakaway bunch almost stopped the race, to come to its rescue.

Anriëtte Schoeman and team-mate Jeanine Binneman noticed the stressed puppy in the middle of the road and asked Proline team manager, Alex Cooper, to pick it up and bring it to the finish.

"The little dog has since been named Burger, after the event during which it was rescued, and has been adopted by Binneman," says Cooper.