The champions of this year’s joBerg2c women’s race, Anriette Schoeman and Samantha Sanders, have their sights set on winning the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek which gets underway outside Addo this Friday.
joBerg2c women’s champions, Anriette Schoeman (pictured here) and Samantha Sanders, will team up for the three-day PwC Great Zuurberg Trek, which starts on Friday. Photo: Supplied
Schoeman, who lives close by in Port Elizabeth, had originally been planning to defend her mixed title alongside John Wakefield, but he withdrew from the three-day race, giving her the opportunity to pair up with Sanders.
The multiple former national road champion said she was looking forward to teaming up again with Sanders, who is based in Hoedspruit in Mpumalanga, after their success at South Africa’s longest stage race.
“I was a last-minute replacement for someone else at joBerg2c, but it turned out to be an amazing learning experience,” said the 38-year-old Schoeman.
“It was the first time that I have raced as a women’s pairing and I really enjoyed it.”
The two ladies are sure to be strong contenders in their riding category, which also includes two-time defending champions Andrea Shirley and SanMari Woithe.
“I think in women’s racing you are able to ride more within yourself,” said Schoeman.
“I find where you are often pushed to ride above your own ability in mixed, you can pace yourself better among women.”
Schoeman said her 36-year-old teammate was excellent at judging pace, but she was under no illusions as to the task they faced.
“Andrea and SanMari are tough competition and will definitely be hard to beat.”
Schoeman said that besides the racing element, they were both excited about the variety of trails and challenges at Zuurberg.
“I do mountain biking in part for the fun aspect and you get spoilt at races like the Great Zuurberg Trek.”
Schoeman, who will ride in the colours of Africa Silks-Valencia, said her preparations for the race had not been ideal due to illness.
“I picked up a terrible cold after joBerg2c that had me bed-ridden for a week.
“But in the women’s category I will be riding more within myself, which actually suits me well at the moment.”
