Mariske Strauss was happy with her performance in the elite women’s race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch today.
Strauss was the highest-placed South African in a packed international field, finishing 28th in a field of 55 riders.
“It was a tough event obviously, but I am happy with how it played out,” she told In the Bunch after the race. “The goal was to leave everything out there and I managed to do that.”
Mariske Strauss pictured during the elite women’s race of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch today. Photo: Full Stop Communications
Strauss, who won the women’s elite race at the SA National MTB Cup Series XCO last year, said she was hindered by crashes in the first lap.
“The first lap was probably the biggest challenge [in the race],” she said. “It just seemed like all the crashes happened right in front of me.
“That was a bit unfortunate, but that’s how it goes. I had to work with the hand I was dealt. I’m happy how I managed to fight back.
“It was difficult to basically have to start from scratch again, at a dead standstill. I had to dig into my reserves and I tried to fight up as many places as I could.”
She was impressed with the high standard of the field, Strauss said. “It was pretty much a full-on European world cup.
“We have had world cups in South Africa before and the field was usually a bit more watered down.
“That wasn’t the case this time round and that is why I am pretty stoked with how things went.”
Her goal was to finish in the top 20, but under the circumstances Strauss said she was happy with the outcome.
“Considering how things went [early on] and the strong riders who were constantly in front of me, I wasn’t that far out of reach.
“It was exciting racing,” she said. “That was my first one [world cup] for the season banked and I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Strauss has now set her sights on the eight-stage Cape Epic which begins next Sunday, where she will partner Annie Last.
The pair finished second overall last year and Strauss said she was looking forward to another challenge.
“I’m looking forward to the Epic. I’m happy with my form at the moment, but I feel I can still improve. I haven’t reached my peak yet.
“But I am really excited to see what happens.”
