Demacon’s Carla Oberholzer credited her team’s support and good communication skills for her Kremetart Cycle Race win in the Soutpansberg region today.
The national road champion lined up for the 140km race alongside Lynette Burger and Kim le Court, who as a team were aiming for their 10th race victory of the season.
“As a team we went into the race for one of us to win,” said Oberholzer. “It wasn’t necessarily my goal, but on the day I managed to get in the right move and take the win.
Demacon’s Carla Oberholzer, pictured here during this year’s Bestmed Tour of Good Hope, won the Kremetart Cycle Race in the Soutpansberg region today. Photo: Robert Ward
“As always, when we come to race we come to win.”
She added that during the first section all the girls worked well together. Everyone took their turn at the front and paced themselves, as they knew it would be a long day with a long distance to cover.
“After the second hotspot the real racing started. There were a couple of breakaways, but nothing really stuck as it was always closed by someone.
“Just before the final climb Kim put in a big attack and when they closed her down I managed to counter that and get a nice gap over the top of the climb. I then stayed away all the way to the finish.”
She felt the team worked well together and raced well off each other, which enabled her to get away in the end.
“A great big thank-you to Lynette and Kim – it wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
This was the first year the race was run as a single event without any stages, and Oberholzer felt this changed the dynamic a lot.
“The first part of the course didn’t really suit me as it was quite flat and a little bit windy. The last 10km had a couple of drags and climbs that suited me better.
“I think the only thing that really worked well for me today was the good teamwork and them managing to get me away over the final climb. It could’ve been any one of us, but I managed to ride it out to the finish.”
She added that it was always great to win a race. “It creates a happy feeling and boosts team morale. For me it’s a good indicator of where my form is lying in the build-up to the second half of the season, and I see it as a great stepping stone, hopefully moving in the right direction.”
