Lynette Burger, runner-up in the Cape Town Cycle Tour two years ago, is prepared for a titanic tussle in her bid to win the title on Sunday.
The Demacon rider, who won the event in 2015, said they felt very confident as a team, having had a strong season thus far.
“Our goal is for our team to win. We’ve been dominating every single race so far this year. We have four very strong riders – myself, Kim [Le Court], Heidi [Dalton] and Carla [Oberholzer],” said Burger.
Demacon’s Lynette Burger, seen here winning the Fast One cycle race last month, hopes her team will take this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour title. Photo: Cycle Nation
She feels in order for her to end up on the podium she will have to pull out all the stops.
“It’s about giving your all and not holding back. Even if I can’t do it, I know my teammates will be there and we’ll give everything for each other. We’ve got each other’s backs.
“To be on the podium will be great, but to be on the top step is what we’re going for.”
Organisers recently announced that they would facilitate a women-only invitational start group in Glencairn.
This 76km invitational race is open to elite and under-23 women who have been seeded into the percentage start group.
“Being a women-separate race now it actually helps us a bit with having a strong team. Now team tactics can also play a role, so our strategy will be to look after each other but also to try and make the race as hard as possible.
“We don’t always want to go into a sprint even though we have three very strong sprinters. Due to it being so short, we basically have to make it as hard as possible from the start,” said Burger.
The Fast One Cycle Race champion said the route was not really her preferred type and it would be a bit harder with the shorter distance.
“It’s going to be a shorter race with more climbing, so it will be tougher. I do think they can perhaps extend the distance to make it worth the while – maybe 90 or 95km.
“Knowing from the shorter race we did in 2015, it was hard, so it will be intense from the start.”
Regarding the other top contenders, Burger will keep her eye on two ladies specifically.
“Maroesjka Matthee is a very good sprinter and the shorter race might suit her well. Yzette Oelofse has also had a very good year and she showed she can climb and sprint very well.”
Burger suffered a bit of a setback the last couple of weeks following the SA National Road Championships when she had issues with her lungs due to her being asthmatic.
“We fortunately sorted that out and I’m better now, so if I can win the race it will be very nice and I’ll be happy to do that. For me it’s really about the team.
“As long as the title stays with the team I’m more than happy to work with them to be able to get to the top step of the podium.”
