South African champion, Yolande Speedy, secured a comfortable victory at the Talisman Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike Challenge in the Western Cape at the weekend to move within striking distance of claiming the prestigious 2007 Mazda Series title.
Speedy (IMC Mongoose) rode a steady race to lead from start to finish in the tough 100km event that started in Uniondale and ended in Knysna, clocking a winning time of three hours, 41 minutes and 30 seconds.
Top Western Cape rider, Hanlie Booyens (Jeep Specialized), claimed second place in 03:46:03 with Ischen Stopforth riding a strong second half to finish third in 03:48:53.
Carla Rowley (Raleigh MTN Energade) and Christie Pienaar (Fritz Pienaar Cycles) rounded out top five in a large field of almost 200 female finishers.
"I just wanted to have a steady race with no problems and it worked out just perfectly," smiled Speedy, who is having her best year yet.
It was Speedy’s fourth Mazda Series victory from just five events and it moved her from fourth to second place with just one event remaining.
Tania Raats (Maverick Momentum), who has led the Series since January, did not compete at Karoo to Coast, and could well see her Series title hopes fade at next month’s Colourpress Crater Cruise, where she and Speedy will go head to head in a battle for crucial points.
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