After finishing fourth last year, Carla Oberholzer has set her sights on a podium finish at the 947 Cycle Challenge at Fourways in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Oberholzer, second in the Tshwane Classic in Pretoria this month, has been one of the most consistent riders on the local scene this season and is going into one of South Africa’s biggest races with high expectations.
“My goal is to be on the podium, but, with the big international field that is coming, racing will be a little bit different to the other local events,” said the Demacon pro.
Demacon’s Carla Oberholzer, pictured here during this year’s Jock Tour in Mbombela, is on the hunt for a podium at the 947 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg on Sunday. Photo: Memories4U Photography
She said that although the overseas riders were a bit of an unknown entity, she expected tough competition from the likes of Norway’s Vita Heine (Hitec Products) and Britain’s Hannah Barnes (Canyon SRAM Racing).
Of the South Africans, Cervélo–Bigla’s Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, who climbed to third in the UCI rankings earlier this year, was always a big factor, said Oberholzer.
The 30-year-old – who has won the Fast One, Cycle4Cansa, Satellite Championship, Jock Tour and Amashova this season – will be supported by the likes of Lynette Burger, national champion Heidi Dalton, Kim le Court, Elmari de Wet and Michelle Andrew.
According to her, there were three crucial points along the 95km route where the various strategies could play out.
“The big moves normally happen in the last 20km, so the first spot to look out for is when we turn into town. The next one will probably be on the Kyalami circuit and then when we go up to Cedar Road.”
She said the team’s preparations had gone well and, from a personal perspective, she was without any aches and pains with “pretty good” form.
“This has definitely been my best year so far,” said Oberholzer, who races for Bizkaia Durango in Europe during the South African winter. “I’m very happy with the results I have been able to achieve.
“I’m part of a great team and I think everything is really coming together for us this year, so I am grateful for a very good season.”
