The South African women’s cycling scene has been in a state of flux for the past few years with the rise and demise of a number of teams, often leaving individual riders scrambling for sponsorships.
One team that has bucked the trend and is attracted growing support and stability from sponsors is Team Bestmed-ASG-Multihull.
South African women’s cycling team Bestmed-ASG-Multihull with, from left, Kim le Court, Vera Adrian, Maroesjka Matthee, Desray Sebregts and Michelle Benson. Photo: Capcha Photography
Focusing on the development of riders across all age categories – from under-16 to veteran level – the team seems to be making the right moves.
New co-title sponsor and Multihull managing director Paul Hough concurs.
“Currently most of the emphasis nationally is on the men and we thought it opportune to get involved in women’s cycling,” says Hough.
“We chose the team as they have a good track record, are well organised and have a great team spirit with a dedicated management team supporting them.”
The 15-rider squad have gotten their new season off to a good start with a number of new signings and some notable national and international achievements.
In January, new member Maroesjka Matthee obliterated the competition at the African continental track championships, winning all six of her omnium events.
Just over a week later, the track specialist used her explosive power to outsprint defending champion Anriette Schoeman and claim her first major national classic win at The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth.
Over that same weekend, Matthee’s Namibian teammate Vera Adrian carried all before her as she defended her national road race title and added the victory in the time-trial.
Back on South African soil, the team turned out in force for the SA road cycling championships the following week – scoring seven medals across the various categories.
Team captain Desray Sebregts led from the front, earning the national champion’s jersey in the veteran’s category (35-39) in both the time-trial and road race.
And, says team manager Owen Botha, her time-trial time would have placed her in the top six in the elite category.
While the first-year elites failed to shape in their time-trial, they surprised with strong performances in the road race.
“We entered new elites Michelle Benson, Catherine Colyn and Chanté van der Merwe in the road race, alongside Charlene du Preez,” says Botha.
“The elite women don’t have an under-23 age group, so it was a massive jump from junior to elite for the three teenagers.”
Battling intense heat and humidity in the 114km race, Colyn managed a ninth place finish – just 13 seconds behind winner Moolman-Pasio, while Benson placed 12th.
In the U16 and junior categories, the team swept the silver medals across the board.
Young Jessica Brown just missed gold in a photo finish to the U16 road race, while teammate Azulde Britz took bronze. Britz also grabbed the runner-up spot in the time-trial.
Lynette Benson’s pair of medals in the junior events was enough to earn her inclusion in the junior national team for the continental road championships.
There her SA team rode to gold in the team time-trial and she again took silver in the individual event.
Botha says the early season podiums are encouraging and hopes the team will continue to build on this solid foundation.
Follow the team’s progress at www.teambestmedasg.co.za, on Facebook and @TeamBestmed_asg.
