Swedish rider Jennie Stenerhag finally won the Attakwas after eight previous attempts when the 121km mountain bike event finished at Great Brak River today.
But, despite the distance covered, her victory was by the narrowest of margins.
The Fairtree Capital rider claimed a winning time of 5:54:23, with dormakaba’s Robyn de Groot crossing the line just one second behind her.
Jennie Stenerhag finally won the Attakwas after eight previous attempts when the mountain bike event finished at Great Brak River today. Photo: ZC Marketing Consulting
Ghost Factory Racing’s Barbara Benko completed the podium, finishing nine minutes and 24 seconds further back.
In the race, which started in Oudtshoorn, Stenerhag broke away from the other elite women at the 30km mark and only De Groot could later bridge back across to her.
“My chain had dropped just before that climb and when I saw Jennie going I knew I had to put in an effort. I started the climb at the back of the group but dug deep to catch her over the summit,” said De Groot.
She added that she had hoped Benko or defending champion Yolande de Villiers would come with her, but it was not to be.
“So Jennie and I pushed on. We raced together for two and a half seasons so we know each other really well,” said De Groot.
Stenerhag and De Groot stayed together along the gruelling pass through the Outeniqua Mountains and right up till the finishing straight.
“I’ve lost out in a sprint here before,” said Stenerhag.
“Last year I was coming back from an injury and didn’t contest the turn into the cement-stripped descent into Pine Creek Resort as fiercely as I could have.
“This year I made sure to get onto that section first and around the penultimate corner in the lead. Then it was just about keeping the inside line and once I rounded the final bend to kick with everything I had.”
Stenerhag said she had tried to win the race eight times before and each time had come up short, which made today’s victory “all the sweeter”.
