Yolandi du Toit heads into the Pioneer mountain-bike race in New Zealand tomorrow aware that she faces unknown terrain, unpredictable weather and an unfamiliar field.
Du Toit will ride alongside Ben Melt Swanepoel in the seven-day sister event to the Cape Epic.
“We don’t know what to expect as everything is new and I guess that is also the most exciting part.
“It also looks more like an adventure than a race and hopefully that’s the case,” said Du Toit.
Yolandi du Toit will tackle the Pioneer mountain bike race alongside Ben Melt Swanepoel in New Zealand from tomorrow. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
She added that they would stick to their strategy of racing as hard as they could while still having fun.
“Since its inception we’ve wanted to take part [in this event] as the scenery, routes and setting look incredible and finally we’ve managed to make this dream a reality.”
Du Toit said they would be heading into very high mountains where the weather, according to the organisers, was unpredictable.
“It’s not every day that your compulsory riding kit includes a merino-wool beanie, space blankets and a long-sleeve rain jacket.”
The Garmin MTB rider felt the hilly route would suit them as climbing was one of their strengths as a team.
“We will take it as it comes. We’re excited to see what the entire route has in store for us.
“We’re also heading to three areas which apparently have very distinct characteristics.”
Du Toit said it was challenging to ride on a different continent due to the terrain being so different.
“If New Zealand’s soil is wet, icy, rocky, dry or tacky we hope to feel right at home by the end.”
Being at the tail-end of a “long season” the duo said they did not know what to expect from themselves in terms of form.
“We both competed at the Cape Pioneer Trek and before we had fully recovered we found ourselves boarding a plane to Australasia.
“Between the travel time and jet lag we haven’t had that much opportunity to train properly so our form can either be very good or very bad or somewhere in between. Either way we plan to make the best of this wonderful opportunity.”
Du Toit said they were most looking forward to exploring the “beautiful countryside” while also accepting that they would have to deal with possible bad weather.
“After all, it has been snowing in Queenstown recently. We’re really hoping that was the last of New Zealand’s winter.”
