Full out racing up for Tour
Schoeman to line up despite severe setback with flu
DAILY Dispatch Cycle Tour darling Anriette Schoeman will be aiming for an unprecedented sixth title in a row when she takes on the annual cycling extravaganza from the Buffalo Club on Sunday morning.
Schoeman, who has already broken many Dispatch Cycle Tour records, including having won the most titles, six since she started in 2010, with 2011 breaking her streak when she finished runner-up, followed by her claiming the next five titles on the trot.
“I am going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat on Sunday. I have basically had to take the whole of August off with flu, so I am not at my best,” said Schoeman.
“It is a challenging route, and I always love the race because it gets full road closure.”
Earlier this year Schoeman took part in the Daily Dispatch Mountain Bike race for the first time and triu so she will be eager to claim an historic double.
Despite the difficulties she will face having not been able to train over the past month, Schoeman admits she is keen to get back on the road.
“Having it now has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works as I have come out of a difficult period, which included me having very bad flu, but even if I am not in tip-top shape I will be out there on Sunday,” said Schoeman.
“It is a safe race and I really love the route. It is tough and challenging but it is great to test your limits and, if anything, all the other races can see how this race is organised and take notes as it is a really enjoyable day out for the cyclists.”
There should be a number of challengers on Sunday, looking to take advantage of Schoeman being a bit undercooked. However, she does not focus on any of that until race day.
“I don’t really think about who will challenge me. I just do what I need to do, race as hard as I possibly can and have fun and only worry about it when I get to the start line,” said Schoeman.
One of Schoeman’s challengers was set to be local athlete Cindy Schwulst, who finished as runner-up last year and had picked up a couple of third-place finishes in previous editions. However, she will be missing out on this year’s race.
“I am unfortunately going to miss the race as I am competing in the Mandela Challenge triathlon at Midmar Dam this weekend,” said Schwulst.
“Last year they had the race at the end of the year and before that they held it near the start and I was able to do it, so as long as there is no clash again next year I will definitely be back.”
Other cyclists who should be in the mix are Bestmed NMU cyclist Gené Keet, who competed at the University Games earlier this year and could find herself in contention, as well as young up-and-coming local talent Elne Owen, who was awarded the third place finish in last year’s race.
Sunday’s 102km main race will get underway from 7am, with the 50km and 19km rides following shortly after. However, cyclists must be at the start line half-an-hour before for race briefing.