Teenager Frances Janse van Rensburg did South Africa proud with her good result in the individual time-trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire, England, on Monday.
The 18-year-old finished 12th in the junior women’s event, missing out on a top-10 result by just five seconds.
“It’s really special for me to have achieved it at my first road world champs. I also did it on my road bike and it was only the second time-trial I had ever done,” she said.
Frances Janse van Rensburg placed 12th in the junior women’s individual time-trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire, England, on Monday. Photo: Supplied
Janse van Rensburg said as she walked up the stairs at the start chute she had goose bumps as the atmosphere was amazing, with the crowd cheering.
“During the race also it was just awesome. But I tried to ignore all of that and just keep my focus and push as hard as I could.
“I struggled a bit to find my rhythm on the technical parts of the course and got a little bit stressed and had to get myself refocused.
“When I turned onto the final drag to the finish it was just crazy, with everyone cheering and screaming – definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had on a bike.”
She added that she was physically exhausted after the effort she put in and emotionally drained.
“When I crossed the line I was [lying] fourth with 22 riders still to come in. I was so happy because I didn’t think I went fast enough to even finish in the top 30.
“I also knew I would possibly drop a huge number of places with all the girls who still had to finish. I tried not to get excited as I knew it would be difficult to match the time of the fastest girls on my road bike.
“So to then have finished 12th, just five seconds off from the top-10 in the end, is something I’m incredibly happy about.”
Janse van Rensburg said another challenge was that she did not have the time to practise on the course ahead of the race.
“I was really nervous as I had heard it was a technical course with lots of corners and punchy climbs. To make it worse, the roads were wet.
“I decided to rather go slower and lose a few seconds through the corners than take risks. I wanted to try and make up time on the climbs and flats.”
She felt that although it was very challenging, experiencing that high level of racing was an incredible experience for her.
“I also think I learnt about myself as an athlete, as well as my weaknesses and strengths, and what I need to improve on for the future.”
Next up for Janse van Rensburg is tomorrow’s junior women’s road race.
“I do feel that this was a confidence booster, although they are two totally different races. A good result in the time-trial doesn’t necessarily secure one in the road race.
“It is good to know that my legs and form are there, so I’m excited to give it all I have on Friday.”
