Dutch cross-country cyclist and Olympic athlete Anne Terpstra will tackle her first Knysna Bull, which starts at the waterfront this afternoon, ahead of next month’s Cape Epic.
Anne Terpstra will compete in her first Knysna Bull, which starts at the waterfront this afternoon. Photo: The Attention Builders
The 29-year-old, who is the current top-ranked UCI cross-country women elite rider, said she had a bit of a cold this week which might affect her slightly, but overall she was feeling fine.
“I’ve had a good winter where I could do what I have to do to get ready for 2020, so I’m confident I’m physically at an okay level. Still, it’s real early in the season which means I have a way to go to get to my best possible shape.
“Mentally I’m keen to put on a starting number again and emotionally I’m just happy to be back in South Africa. It’s actually cool to see a bit more of the country. I only travelled to Knysna because of this race, but since I’m here with my boyfriend it feels a bit like a holiday now.”
Terpstra said her trainer wanted her to race here as preparation for the Epic and the rest of the XCO season.
“My main focus is the Olympics in July. Therefore this race is not so important to me, but just a fun way to build further on my fitness. That doesn’t mean I’m not ambitious.”
The four-day race kicks off with a 13.5km prologue followed by 59km, 60km and 52km stages.
“I checked all the information about the route online, but as I said I’m new to this race and then it’s not so easy to get a concrete idea.
“The numbers show all days must be pretty XCO-like though, which of course is something that should suit me. I’m very curious about all singletracks – when you read the route information it sounds really cool and big fun.”
She added that her goal was to do well over all of the days and spread her energy well.
“Especially as a cross-country rider and on top of that having strengths in the first lap, I’m the kind of person who can blow up in half an hour.
“It would be good if I could stay away from that strategy during Knysna Bull. I expect the pace to be fast though, so I’ll just try to find a balance between my feeling and my preferred pace on the one hand and the development of the race on the other.”
Terpstra said another challenge could be riding in a group. But because she had just finished the Tankwa Trek, where she had to start three days with the men as her teammate Barbara Benko fell ill on day one, she might be ready for this.
“Catching the right group and holding the right positions during a mountain bike race isn’t easy,” said the Ghost Factory Racing rider.
The Knysna Bull offers a “winner takes all” format where the men’s and women’s winners will each take home R100 000 in prize money.
“For sure the amount of money you can win is high, which is a cool motivation for us riders. But there’s only one rider who will win that money, which makes it pretty difficult.
“I know that during a race, and especially a stage race, a lot can happen and even if you are the strongest rider it doesn’t necessarily mean you win the race.
“What I think should be mentioned about the prize money is that it’s great that the amount for men and women is equal.”
Terpstra, whose is competing in SA for a fourth consecutive year, said her most important race this year would be the Olympics. Following that she would try to be at her best during the world cups and international champs.
“That means that even the Epic is not one of my main goals this year. I still take that race very seriously though, and that’s the reason I will stay in SA until we’re done with it at the end of March.
“In between, all my teamies and support staff come over and we will spend some time together here. Being together with the team, not during a world cup week or another race week, at the beginning of the year is great to set the mood for the rest of the season.
“I’m looking forward to that time a lot.”
