Ashleigh Moolman Pasio will compete in her first race with CCC-Liv at the Women’s Tour Down Under in Australia from tomorrow till Sunday.
The South African, who placed second overall at the Giro Rosa, signed a contract with the Netherlands-based team in September last year.
“The team are here basically with the intention of using the racing and time in between as a good opportunity for a training camp that will include complex training in the form of racing,” Moolman Pasio said.
South Africa’s Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, who recently joined CCC-Liv, will make her debut for the outfit at the Women’s Tour Down Under in Australia from tomorrow. Photo: Oliver Grenaa
“The idea is to enjoy it and get good training in. There is not really huge pressure or expectations to perform, but of course if we do then it would be a bonus.”
The 33-year-old added that she was looking forward to kicking off the year with the new outfit and getting to know her teammates better.
“We had a training camp in December so we got to know each other quite well, but it’s always different when you start racing.
“The Tour Down Under is going to be a great opportunity for us to start bonding on the bike and learning how to race well together.”
Moolman Pasio will line up alongside Valerie Demey, Jeanne Korevaar, Evy Kuijpers, Riejanne Markus and Agnieszka Skalniak for the event, which consists of stages of 112.9km, 116.7km, 104.5km and 42.5km.
“The opening stage is an undulating one, probably ending in a bunch sprint, so it will be a good opportunity for me to see how I’m feeling and how the legs are.
“The second day features an uphill finish, which might be the most decisive stage so I’m hoping to feel good then. Stage three is undulating again, while the final day consists of a criterium.”
Moolman Pasio said it had been a challenge adjusting to the different time zone and long travel time.
“I’m starting to feel a bit better today, but unfortunately arriving to instant summer in Australia the pollen count in Adelaide is pretty high, so I’m having a bit of an issue with seasonal allergies.
“We’ll have to see how that plays out in the racing, take it day by day and hopefully feel better.”
She added it had been “quite a long time” since she started her season so early in January, but she felt it would be great to go directly from Australia to South Africa for the national road championships.
“It’s a great opportunity to get some high-intensity racing in before the nationals.”
