South Africa’s top female cyclists will have an opportunity to compete against the world’s best following the announcement of the Women’s European Racing Programme on National Women’s Day.
Cherise Stander,part of the six-rider team that has been selected for the Women’s European Racing Programme to compete against international teams in European races. Photo: Andrew McFadden/BOOGS Photography
The Cycling South Africa Women’s Commission has reintroduced the initiative to give riders the chance to compete for valuable UCI points as they attempt to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games road race in Rio.
The riders selected for the SA team to compete in Europe are Cherise Stander (RECM), An-Li Kachelhoffer (Activate-Demacon), Charlene du Preez (Clover), Carla Oberholzer (Clover), Candice Neethling (Pam Golding-Freewheel Cycology-Specialized) and Heidi Dalton (Activate-Demacon).
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio has not been included as she has racing commitments for her Bigla Pro Cycling team and will be participating in the World Championships later this year.
Women’s Commission director Lise Olivier said she hoped this would become an annual programme.
“Every top nation in women’s cycling has an active national team programme.
“This is a crucial part of rider development that has been missing in South Africa for way too long and is a great step forward to bolster our women’s cycling.”
The programme will comprise events such as the UCI 2.2-rated Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’ArArche in France and Premondiale Giro Toscana Int. Femminile – Memorial Michela Fanini in Italy, with the possible inclusion of the UCI World Cup GP de Plouay-Bretagne in France.
Dalton will also represent SA at the African Games road race, which is a UCI 1.1 category race in September.
