Sonica Klopper led Tshenolo Womens Pro Cycling teammates Megan Botha and Lucy Young to a 1-2-3 finish in the women’s 100km Invitation Race at the aQuellé Tour Durban in association with Cycle Lab at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday, 19 April 2026.
The Tshenolo trio produced a display of collective discipline and tenacity, holding their position inside the main peloton for almost the entire race before Sonica Klopper edged out her teammates in the closing kilometres to claim the women’s title.
“Our plan today was just actually to stick with the men for as long as we could,” said Sonica Klopper, as she celebrated with her teammates. “Racing with the men we knew it was going to be really hard. I felt more nervous at the start of this race than I do before any other women’s race.”
“We ended up doing what we planned and we kind of had a plan going into the finish that I would take the win, but a win for one of us means we all win.”
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The trio’s result also meant Tshenolo Womens Pro Cycling finished fourth overall in the CSA National Inter-Club Challenge, the first time teams have raced for an unofficial national team title under Cycling South Africa’s endorsement.
Leading Elite Women’s Results at the 2026 aQuellé Tour Durban 100km Invitation Race
1. Sonica Klopper 02:20:14
2. Megan Botha 02:20:14
3. Lucy Young 02:20:14
4. Lize-Ann Louw 02:29:24
5. Gena Löfstrand 02:30:34
6. Taneal Otto 02:40:01
7. Shanique Marx 02:40:49
8. Monique du Plessis 02:42:03
9. Jemma Barnard 02:42:08
Original Copy: Tim Whitfield for Gameplan Media, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Team mates Sonica Klopper (centre), Megan Botha (right) and Lucy Young (left) make it a team 1-2-3 at the 2026 aQuellé Tour Durban in association with Cycle Lab at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday, 19 April 2026. Photo: Ant Grote / Gameplan Media
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