Venter aiming for success in Trailseeker race in Wellington

Janice Venter is keen to make the most of the Western Cape Trailseeker Series event, to be held in Wellington tomorrow.

A Cape Town local, Venter earned her province’s stripes when she won the Western Cape cross-country championships two months ago.

She now hopes to replicate that result, or at least come close, at the second Trailseeker race in the province and the fourth in the country.

With many of the pro riders taking part in the York Timber Enduro this weekend, thereby slightly diluting the field, Venter said the race would serve as a measure of her fitness.

“I want to go out and have fun, enjoy the racing and give it my best,” Venter told In the Bunch today.

“I would like to see where my current form takes me in the race. I’m not sure who is taking part so it is difficult to plan my approach.

“But it is always important never just to race a single person, but rather just to ride the track and see if it suits you and how your body reacts.

“If your body feels good, only then do you decide to go for it or not.”

Aside from the WC cross-country event, Venter has only taken part in two other races this season, the Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge in March and the SA national marathon champs in Grabouw last month.

She came eighth in both events and said she felt confident of her current form.

“I feel like my form has been good,” she said. “I haven’t done many races this year so it will be interesting to see how I do and how my body reacts.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Not having ridden the 70km route but having studied its profile, Venter, an ambassador for SCOTT Sports, said she thought it might suit her.

“I don’t know first-hand how the course looks but I saw there will be a lot of climbing and that is my strength.

“There are also apparently some great single-track sections which I normally enjoy as well.

“I’m feeling confident and excited to see how everything will play out.”