Team dormakaba SA’s Amy McDougall and Samantha Sanders are prepared for a tough but exciting race at the inaugural three-day Bezhoek Extreme MTB Festival taking place outside Middelburg, Gauteng, this weekend.
Starting with a 25km prologue on Friday, followed by an 89km ultra-marathon on Saturday and a 45km closing stage on Sunday, Sanders said she expected tough competition among the women.
“It is fantastic to see so many of the top ladies attending the event, with the organisers making a great effort to draw in more female cyclists,” Sanders said, partly referring to the better prize money the event will offer the women winners as opposed to their male counterparts.
“My approach to competition has always been to not overthink the situation. All you can do is stick to your own formula and physically prepare as best you can.”
Team dormakaba SA’s Amy McDougall and Samantha Sanders are prepared for a tough but exciting race at the inaugural three-day Bezhoek Extreme MTB Festival. Photo: Supplied
McDougall, who only joined dormakaba in the beginning of the month, echoed those sentiments.
“If you come prepared, then 90 per cent of the work has already been done. The rest is riding and doing the best you can in every moment throughout the race.
“Even though the pressure is not the same as a national event, I will still be giving it my all,” McDougall added.
The prologue, taking place in the evening, excites McDougall. “There is always something magical about night time riding that excites me,” she said.
“It has its own unique challenges and offers quite a special atmosphere.”
Sanders is however wary of the challenges the night ride may bring and anticipates a different test throughout the festival as a whole.
“I have done some night-time racing before so I know the two biggest factors are making sure you are warm enough and that you have proper lighting.
“The format of the Bezhoek Extreme is something different to what we are normally used to and I think it will be refreshing to try.
“I have not ridden any of the trails out there [Middelburg area], but I always enjoy experiencing new ones and new areas, so I am eager to get out there.”
