South Africa’s Robyn de Groot is hoping for better weather at the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships in Sakarya, Turkey, on Sunday. Photo: Supplied
South Africa’s Robyn de Groot is hoping for good weather in Sakarya, Turkey, when the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships take place on Sunday.
The 37-year-old, who rides for dormakaba locally, said recent rains in the region had made the 80.9km course “unrideable”, but added that better conditions were expected going into the weekend showdown.
A former bronze medallist at this event, De Groot said it would be a challenge for everyone if the course remained in its current state.
“I don’t think that [a wet course] would really suit anyone because the problem here is that the undersurface of the track is made up of clay and when that is wet the bikes pick up clay on clay, and eventually the wheels won’t turn,” she said.
“It is unlike normal muddy conditions we have experienced in South Africa. It just becomes a survival thing.
“For example, in a race in drizzly conditions last weekend, only one or two women were able to finish the race.
“Fortunately the weather is clearing and the sun is out, so hopefully that dries out the course.”
De Groot, who has targeted a top-five finish, said she was playing the patience game as she awaited an opportunity to have a course recce.
“I’m happy that we came to Turkey well in advance of the race and hopefully I will get a chance to ride the course before Sunday.
“I am focused on doing the best I can and it is just a matter of applying yourself well and adapting to the situation.”
She said the course would start with an opening stretch of about 11km before going into two loops of 30km, and then returning to the first section.
“If you look at the profile, it doesn’t look like there is much elevation, but it is accumulative and I expect around 2 000 to 2 300 metres of climbing.
“Unlike last year, which had specific climbs and descents, this is a course where you are constantly going up and down.”
This is De Groot’s first international race since the Covid-19 lockdown in South Africa and she will be banking on the fitness she gained from several local races.
“Those went well so when the organisers of the world champs offered me a spot to race three weeks ago, after careful consideration I accepted.”
