After the trauma of a bad crash during the Cape Epic last year, Jennie Stenerhag faced her fears and came out on top at The MTB Challenge in Stellenbosch today.
Jennie Stenerhag fights her fears to come out on top at The MTB Challenge in Stellenbosch today.. Photo: ZC Marketing Consulting
“I have not been there since my crash last year so I was a little hesitant to go back. But it turned out good,” Stenerhag told In the Bunch.
The 44-year-old crashed and fell in the tunnel under Helshoogte Road during last year’s Epic. She rode through the tunnel for the first time since then during today’s race.
“We were going up the road this time whereas we went down it at the Epic, which was a bit better.
“It’s so much easier when you go up. I was happy that the tunnel was lit up this time as well.”
Stenerhag came in first ahead of Amy McDougall, with Ariane Luthi third.
“It felt really good to win the race today. It’s always a test before the Epic.
“It’s a race where you really want to feel good because then you know that the training has been going well. So I’m happy with how I felt and am feeling.”
Stenerhag stayed with the bunch for the first 10km, but wanted to test things out when the first climb approached.
“When we started the first climb I felt like I wanted to test my own legs and test Amy [McDougall] a little bit.
“I pushed a little harder and got away and stayed away for the whole race. I basically did my own race.
“When I came to the final kilometres I could take it a bit easy and just cruise home.”
Though the condition of the trails was dry and loose, she said the route was enjoyable.
“There were a lot of new singletracks. They were very dusty and sandy so you had to be a little bit careful on the corners.
“The route was fantastic. It’s such a privilege to be able to race on these trails.
“The trail-builders here have done a fantastic job with all these amazing trails.
“It’s like heaven for any mountain biker.”
