Yolande de Villiers was elated to defend her title by winning the women’s category of the 160km Trans Elands MTB Marathon, which finished at the Ferry Hotel on the Gamtoos River in the Eastern Cape yesterday.
Not only did De Villiers comfortably win the women’s race – beating second-placed Tracey Campbell by a hefty one hour and 11 minutes – she also finished third overall and just three seconds behind the second man home, Jason Peach.
“It is always good to come back and defend your title,” De Villiers told In the Bunch today. “I was really grateful about my overall placing as well.
“I tried to stay with the two Jasons [Peach and Meaton], otherwise it would have been a long day racing in the wind on my own.
“I was happy to stay with them until the end,” she said, as Meaton finished fourth, nine seconds after De Villiers.
Yolande de Villiers was elated to defend her title by winning the women’s category of the 160km Trans Elands MTB Marathon yesterday. Photo: Supplied
De Villiers said after Steven Shirley, who won the race, broke away early on, she, Peach and Meaton “worked hard together” to try to catch him.
“It is a really long race and after he broke away so early we thought we would easily catch him.
“On the climbs, the two Jasons and I worked together quite hard to narrow the gap he created, but we just couldn’t catch him.
“He had a fantastic ride. Then Jason Meaton fell behind after missing the one last turn, so Jason Peach and I sprinted it out until the finish.”
De Villiers described the race as “one of the toughest” 100-milers in the country.
“The terrain is very harsh with many corrugated roads, loose rocks and the wind is always a factor.
“That is why I was so happy to stay with the two Jasons, to work together in the wind and get a bit of a rest when one of the others were in front. It was a good one to tick off for the season.”
De Villiers, 45, has had a highly successful season, having won the Herald Cycle Tour MTB Race, Midnight Express, Swartberg 100 Gran Fondo, My SPAR MTB Classic, Amarider 100Miler, Great Zuurberg Trek mixed category and now the Trans Elands.
She said all the racing had contributed to her success. “I have been racing a lot and that has definitely been helping with the good form and performances throughout the season so far,” De Villiers said.
“I am very thankful, the body and mind are feeling good. Fortunately I have also not suffered from any sicknesses.
“I am hoping to keep this good form until the Cape Pioneer Trek [from October 14 to 20], which will be my last race of the season. I want to build towards that.”
