Lilandi Swanepoel, who signed with Team bizhub less than a month ago, finished strongly to win the junior individual time-trial title by the narrowest of margins at the South African Road Cycling Championships in Klerksdorp on Wednesday.
She completed the 20-kilometre test against the clock in 31:59, a mere three seconds quicker than Cycle Lab’s Ashleigh Blackwell (32:02). Sarah Chemaly (Select Cycling Club) was third in 32:04.
It also marks the fourth year in-a-row that the Konica Minolta-funded outfit has lifted this title. Michelle Corbett was the champion in 2009 and 2008, with Cherise Taylor winning in 2007.
Swanepoel, who never really thought of herself as a time-trialist, said she nevertheless felt extremely confident before the start. “I knew I was in great shape after our recent training camp in Clarens. I felt ready.”
The seventeen-year-old rider from Lichtenburg, who was the second junior in last year’s Pick ’n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, said her game plan was not to start too fast.
“I concentrated on keeping my heart rate steady on the way out, which was the more difficult portion of the route. It was quite tough and at times I struggled to maintain my intensity.
“Once I turned, I gave it everything in order to take advantage of the slight downhill and tailwind.
“I had a very strong finish – especially the final kilometre,” said Swanepoel, who has been racing competitively for less than three years.
“I kept on telling myself that every second may count and that motivated me. It turned out that I was correct.”
Swanepoel said although she had won the time-trial, her real goal was Saturday’s road race. “It is my second year as a junior and therefore my best chance.”
Team bizhub’s youngest starlet said she liked the nature of the 76-kilometre course, which starts off relatively flat and finishes with three tough criterium-like circuits through the streets of Klerksdorp.
Issued by:
Full Stop Communications
Coetzee Gouws
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082 575 7991
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
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On behalf of:
Team bizhub