After a long break, South Africa’s Bianca Haw will return to world cup racing when she participates in her first race as an under-23 in La Bresse, France, on Sunday.
The 22-year-old last competed in a mountain-bike world cup event four years ago as a junior before the organisers terminated that category.
“I’m excited to finally get back on the circuit,” said Haw, who recently claimed victories in the Scottburgh MTB Race and Karkloof Classic in KwaZulu-Natal.
Bianca Haw will compete in her first world cup cross-country Olympic race as an U23 rider in La Bresse, France, on Sunday. Photo: Tyrone Bradley
The Underberg local said she did not have any specific goals going into her cross-country Olympic race.
“I just want to go out, give it a good go and be satisfied when I cross the line.”
She added that the muddy and slippery sections would be challenging due to the rain they’d been having in the French commune.
“We’ll definitely be slipping and sliding. It’s also possibly going to be steep and rocky with lots of running on the first few laps, which could be a benefit as I like to run and I might have an advantage there.”
Haw said her strategy would be to get a good start as she was sure it was “going to be carnage”, and that she would “hang on for dear life”.
“I’ll just race with a strong mind. Everyone has the same conditions and is suffering just as badly as you are.”
She felt that the season had just begun for her as she was injured for the first half of the year.
“I’m only getting into form now and it feels like my first big race, but for everyone else the season is nearly done.
“I’ll just race hard and hopefully the training will pay off.”
