South Africa’s Robyn de Groot feels “super grateful” to be lining up for the Attakwas, which starts in Oudtshoorn on Saturday, as she could not compete last year due to having to undergo vascular surgery.
“I am healthy, fit, well and in a good space leading into the 2020 season,” said the 37-year-old, who placed second in the 121km race in 2014 and 2015, first in 2016, second in 2017 and sixth in 2018.
Regarding goals and expectations, De Groot said: “Everyone wants to perform well and it’s always nice to start a season with a good result, but it’s a long push to the Cape Epic in March.”
“[Epic] is always a big focus for us, so one needs to remain realistic in terms of form and time-frames.
“That being said, expectations are that it will certainly be a shock to the system to get into race mode again after the last race, which was in November.
“Nonetheless, my goal is to manage myself and my equipment well in the race and apply the training I have done to date to the best of my ability.
“It’s a long, super tough 121km, and depending on the conditions it’s always a great test to kick-start the season.”
Robyn de Groot is gearing up to compete in the Attakwas, which starts in Oudtshoorn on Saturday. Photo: Craig Kolesky
With this being the traditional season opener for the SA mountain biking community, the dormakaba rider said: “I’ll certainly race the race, but also realise we plan our form according to major goals of the season.
“At this time of the year you really have to see this as a building block towards true race form.”
Regarding the route and maintaining momentum throughout, De Groot said they would definitely all be tested somewhere along “this arduous route”.
“The most important will be to listen to my body and race according to what it gives me on the day. Fortunately I know the route pretty well.
“The finish is not too far from home for me so that should play in my favour,” said the George local.
“There are so many factors one will need to manage on a course like this and you have to have given attention/consideration to those factors in your training and preparation.”
She added that she had competed in a few Attakwas events and knew the route fairly well.
“It’s a punishing arduous 121km with varying conditions as we start in the Karoo where the conditions are somewhat desert-like.
“You pass through the Attakwas kloof, which can be pretty rugged, and then you have long drags and climbs on open roads through the more forested sections of the Garden Route.
“Although the elevation gain is only 2 900m of climbing, it is strenuous elevation – you have to pace yourself well in every regard. It’s not called The Hell of the South for nothing.”
With the event boasting UCI status and it being the opening round of the UCI MTB Marathon World Series, De Groot said it was fantastic that the organisers had brought a race of this stature to the country and its riders.
“It’s always good to start accumulating points early in the season, so for sure it’s a huge drawcard for professional mountain bikers who have international objectives for the 2020 season.
“For me, the first quarter of the year will be a build-up to Cape Epic. The next main goals will then be the races dormakaba have as key events for the year, whether they be solo or team events.”
De Groot added that she would also be heading to Europe for another racing block like last year, with the possibility of adding a few races to that schedule and then building up towards the World Championships in September.
“I’ll then return to SA and race the last quarter of the season, be it stage races or solo events, pretty similar to 2019.”
