Yolandi du Toit, who finished fourth last year, is aiming for a podium place at the Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge in Klapmuts on Saturday.
“I’ll stick to my basic strategy of racing as hard as I can while still having fun,” she said.
“The aim is always to improve, so it would be fantastic to finish on the podium this year.”
Yolandi du Toit hopes to finish on the podium at the Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge in Klapmuts on Saturday. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
Du Toit recently won the Sabie Classic and said that result was a positive sign of where her form was, but she also knew that each race was different.
The 60km route exposes riders to the Greater Simonsberg Conservancy area of the Cape Winelands.
“The course is fast and fairly flat, which is not ideal for me. But having done the race last year for the first time I’m more familiar with it now and that will count in my favour.
“You can prepare much better for an event if you know what to expect.”
Du Toit added that the terrain varied a lot so the key would be to keep the pace steady from start to finish and not let it interrupt her pacing strategy.
“This is easier said than done though,” she said.
“My training hasn’t changed much compared to last year, but I started racing a bit later now as a result of competing so deep into last year.”
She said she was not planning on changing any of her strategies from last year, but would have to wait for the actual racing before making that call as it all depended on how the event unfolded.
The Garmin MTB rider said the race was important for their team.
“We also enjoy the week in the Cape and would love to cap it off with some good results.”
