Modern Cyclist Magazine Issue 1, September 2014 | Page 40

Competing in the junior
women category, Janice
Venter rode to a seventh
position in category with a
time of 1:19:01.

Try as she might, Candice
Neethling and the other elite
women could not catch
Mariske Strauss. However, the
Olympian managed third in a
time of 1:40:40.

was a nice opener for me for the Commonwealth Games.”
She returned to South Africa with a credible 13th place at the
Commonwealth Games.
Strauss’ preparations have been going well in the build up to
the Championship event. “My coach, Jeroen Swart, has been
pushing me quite hard, but the data is looking good.”
“I’ve been trying to keep everything as normal as possible,” said
Strauss. “My confidence has picked up a lot.”
Cherie Vale (Paarl Media) claimed the silver medal in a time
of 01:39:10, while Candice Neethling (Time Freight VELOlife)
claimed bronze in 01:40:40. It was great to see mountain biking
stalwart Yolande Speedy (Heart-Sports ASG) back in the racing
scene, where she claimed fourth place in 01:47:34, with Nicolette
Griffioen finishing fifth in 01:29:22.
The under-23 category saw Ashleigh Moffatt (Time Freight
VELOlife) claim top honours in a time of 01:24:35, with Hayley
Smith (Bell Equipment) claiming a silver medal in a time of
01:27:27.
Bianca Haw (Time Freight VELOlife) claimed the Junior women’s
title in commanding fashion, completing 3 laps in 01:04:19. Haw
was followed home by Genevieve Van Coller (Heart-Sports ASG)
01:05:49, with Jessica Alcock (GU) claiming the bronze medal in
01:07:04.
The Youth women’s category saw some close racing with Lynette
Benson dominating her race, and claiming