In the face of some stiff competition, SA elite women’s team rider Sanet Coetzee is targeting a podium at the 947 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The Team Clover rider has been nipping at the heels of the dominant Demacon riders recently and said she expected another tight-fought battle.
“We obviously would like to podium but with the Demacon team being so strong it will be quite difficult,” she told In the Bunch today.
“We’ve had a good year and the team are beginning to work better together now. I think we stand a good chance of getting a result on Sunday.”
Sanet Coetzee (left) and Zanri Rossouw will spearhead Team Clover at the 947 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg on Sunday. Photo: Cycle Nation
Coetzee, who spearheads the team alongside Zanri Rossouw, said the race would be interesting because of the flipped route, which provided several “short and punchy climbs”.
“The 947 used to be more of a climber’s race, but now I think it will be more for all-rounders. That should suit our team quite well.”
She and Rossouw were “quite strong at the moment”, Coetzee added.
“Zanri is really good on the climbs, whereas I’m more of a sprinter. It will depend how the race plays out on the day.
“If it goes on a hill, Zanri will take the lead. If it ends up in a bunch sprint, I’ll have to do it.”
They will be supported by Elmari de Wet and Chalita Johnson.
“We’ve had a really good couple of races now and the preparation has been good. We’re as strong as we can be and I’m quite excited.”
The race will see a new champion after Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, who made history by finishing second overall at the Giro Rosa earlier this season, said she would ride socially in aid of charity instead of defending her title.
Both Coetzee and Rossouw were included in the SA national team for the UCI Africa Cup.
“It is a great honour to be selected and we hope we can make SA proud,” Coetzee said. “Eritrea is about 2 300m above sea level so we will certainly be gasping for air.”
