South African road champion Carla Oberholzer clinched her second win in as many weeks when she came up trumps in the inaugural trapNET 360 cycle race in Pretoria today.
Demacon’s Oberholzer has enjoyed a highly successful season so far.
After winning the national road championships in February she enjoyed victories in the Ride for Sight, Berge en Dale, Vulintaba Extreme road race, Kremetart Cycle Race and, most recently, she clinched the overall title in the Jock Classic last weekend.
South African road champion Carla Oberholzer clinched her second win in as many weeks when she came up trumps in the inaugural trapNET 360 cycle race today. Photo: Supplied
Winning today, her seventh victory of the season, nevertheless came as a surprise to her, Oberholzer said.
“I was a bit sick in the week and I didn’t ride or train much, so I didn’t know what to expect [heading into the race],” she told In the Bunch today.
“I didn’t prepare for this race at all and I only decided to take part yesterday.
“I’m pretty surprised, but also very happy to pull off another win for the team. I’m glad things worked out well in the end.”
Oberholzer said the race got off to a slow start, with none of the riders wanting to make any moves.
“I think they were all waiting for the climbs, which only came later on.
“Then about 30km into the race, on one of the climbs, Zanri Rossouw from Clover went towards the front and increased the pace.
“I was quite comfortable with that and as soon as she started slowing down I went to the front and picked up the pace again.”
Sanet Smal, also from Clover, was the only one to follow her, before Danielle van Graan joined them. Van Graan later dropped back as Smal and Oberholzer worked together for the remainder of the race.
“The bunch kept giving chase, so it took a while before we created a comfortable gap,” Oberholzer said.
“At around the 72km mark I put in a nice attack on a small sharp climb. I rode at a pace I knew would open a gap and which I could sustain for the win.”
Oberholzer’s teammate, Lynette Burger, won the bunch sprint to finish third.
“I’m hoping to build on this to ensure a good second half of the season,” Oberholzer said.
