Barbara Benko and Anne Terpstra, who spent two days in the leaders’ jerseys at last year’s Tankwa Trek, intend spending more time in pink at the 2020 event, which starts on Thursday at the Kaleo Guest Farm.
Barbara Benko (right) and Anne Terpstra intend spending more time in pink at the Tankwa Trek, which starts on Thursday at the Kaleo Guest Farm. Photo: ZC Marketing Consulting
The Ghost Factory Racing outfit ultimately placed third overall in the elite women’s team category last year.
“The goal this year is to spend a bit more time in the leader jersey – especially at the end of the last stage,” said Hungarian cross-country mountain biker Benko.
“The field is definitely harder, but I think we’re ready for the challenge.
“You never know. So many things can happen in a stage race but if everything goes smoothly, and I really hope it will, then we can be in contention for the overall win, but for the podium definitely. A stage win would also be great.”
Regarding her partnership with Dutch cyclist Terpstra, Benko said they had very different personalities but somehow complemented each other well.
“We’re also good friends off the bike, which makes life easier in a stage race where you go through so many special moments with your partner.
“As riders we’re really similar and understand each other very well in a race in which it is key to have a good partnership.
“Outside of the race we’re always having fun, which is great to switch off. I really like racing with Anne and I do think we’ll do a few more stage races together in the future.”
Benko, who came third overall in last month’s Attakwas, added that the pair always thought about things as a team.
“This is hard sometimes coming from an individual sport. Knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses is key, but we always chat about the day and happenings openly after the stage or in the evening when we plan the next day, which is good. Nothing is left unspoken and it’s refreshing.
“I don’t like drama and fake people. I’m blunt, which is not always great I know, but helps in a race to get the best out of each other and not stress about unnecessary things.
“I’m better at tactics, while Anne is better at analysing and going into details. We know how to ride to help each other the most.”
Talking about their strategy for the four-stage mountain bike race, Benko said they would have to see how the race unfolded and adapt accordingly.
“For sure we’ll have tactics and plans for every day, but we’ll also take it day by day and stay flexible and adapt to the situation.
“We’ll do our thing and race and have a plan. This is what we can influence. We saw it last year when the race only ended at the finish line after the last stage, so you never know.”
The testing MTB race features stages of 24.5km, 84km, 89km and 88km through the Koue Bokkeveld.
“If I’m not mistaken it’s more or less the same as last year. What I heard is that they changed the prologue a bit and a few sections are new, but nothing big or completely different.
“I can’t remember that much to be completely honest. Of course I know more or less how the stages were, but it was my first Tankwa and there are many grey areas in my memory.
“The stages are long but not super long, which is good for us. The climbs are steep and hard which is in our favour and the prologue is basically a XCO race so that should suit us well. We could do with more technical downhills where we could maybe make a bigger difference, but we can’t complain.”
For Benko, to get UCI points at the race is very important.
“I’m not in a luxury situation to have many strong girls in my country for the Olympic qualification, so I have to be high-ranked in the world rankings to get that spot.
“It’s also important for the starting position at the first world cup or world champs and Olympics, so these points will come in really handy for me.”
