My Diary
Last weekend I was in Greytown for the town’s annual Mountain bike festival. As the main attraction the mountain bike race consisted out of 2 stages held over 2 consecutive days.
For those who don’t know, Greytown is a small town in the Kwazulu-Natal area, close to Ladysmith. The trip down there took us a good 5:30 hours which included the ritual ‘Wimpy’ stop. A road trip with out a Wimpy coffee is just not worth going on
I traveled to the event with our team mechanic, Ruan and his wife Sasha in the team’s 2 seater delivery van.
This gave me the opportunity to spend some time with my bike (and all the mechanic’s equipment) at the back before tackling the 2 day stage race. Aaagh, the perks of being a pro athlete…
As we drove drown on the N3 it was a good feeling seeing the temperature rise as we got closer to Greytown.
The whole weekend we had great weather with the temperature reaching a high of 26 degrees. This is amazing if you consider the fact that we are bordering on winter.
The event was very well organized and I was surprised….. (Okay and also jealous!) by all the Mountain biking trials in that area. The race route was mainly on single track through tree plantations, all around the hills of Greytown. Come to think of it we actually spent a total of 105km on single track which made it even more special for me to win both stages and the overall.
I arrived back home Sunday night and early Monday morning I was sitting behind a desk writing my first examination paper. Luckily the week went by quickly and I am happy to say that I am also now finished with my exams
The team’s next race is Kremetart which takes place on the 5th of June,meaning I get to stay at home this weekend. This morning I had a look at my Calendar and realized that the last time I had a weekend at home was the weekend of the 27th of March.
So I am looking forward to being at home…
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
CAPTION: Team bizhub’s Yolandi du Toit signed off the first part of the season with overall victory in the two-day N3TC Greytown Classic mountain bike race.
Issued by:
Coetzee Gouws
2009/05/25
Du Toit signs off in fine fashion
Team bizhub’s in-form Yolandi du Toit signed off the first half of the season with a hard-earned overall victory in the two-day N3TC Greytown Classic mountain bike race that finished on Sunday.
Du Toit won Saturday’s first stage over 60 kilometres in 2:56:49 and Sunday’s, over 45, in 2:22:53 for a combined time of 5:19:43.
Team Jeep’s Jean Hackland (3:03:15; 2:29:18; 5:32:33) was a close second with Cycle Lab’s Brenda Potts (3:10:03; 2:35:12; 5:45:16) completing the podium.
The lanky 24-year-old from Heidelberg in Gauteng was made to fight hard in the early stages of both days. “I had to ride very aggressively to stay ahead of Jean on the first day,” said Du Toit, who is known more for her endurance than technical prowess.
“The stage started with single track and I immediately took the lead, but she caught up with me after about three kilometres and from that moment I had to give everything.”
Even though she was in yellow, Du Toit said she was not overly confident going into the second day. “Some of the other riders’ technical abilities are superb and the course suited them more than me. I just tried my best and fortunately that was good enough.”
Du Toit, who recently dominated the inaugural Fairbairn Capital/Old Mutual joBerg2c with team-mate Lise Olivier, said she would now take some time off before focusing on a “busy” second half of the year.
“It’s fantastic to go into the winter break with some good results behind my name. If the boss is happy, I’m happy,” she joked.
Despite a hectic racing schedule over the past few months, Du Toit attributed her good form to being reasonably fresh.
“I fell ill after joBerg2c, which forced me to take a few days off. I think that rest came at just the right time. I’m already looking forward to the second half of the season.”
Issued by:
Coetzee Gouws
2009/05/25
Du Toit signs off in fine fashion
Team bizhub’s in-form Yolandi du Toit signed off the first half of the season with a hard-earned overall victory in the two-day N3TC Greytown Classic mountain bike race that finished on Sunday.
Du Toit won Saturday’s first stage over 60 kilometres in 2:56:49 and Sunday’s, over 45, in 2:22:53 for a combined time of 5:19:43.
Team Jeep’s Jean Hackland (3:03:15; 2:29:18; 5:32:33) was a close second with Cycle Lab’s Brenda Potts (3:10:03; 2:35:12; 5:45:16) completing the podium.
The lanky 24-year-old from Heidelberg in Gauteng was made to fight hard in the early stages of both days. “I had to ride very aggressively to stay ahead of Jean on the first day,” said Du Toit, who is known more for her endurance than technical prowess.
“The stage started with single track and I immediately took the lead, but she caught up with me after about three kilometres and from that moment I had to give everything.”
Even though she was in yellow, Du Toit said she was not overly confident going into the second day. “Some of the other riders’ technical abilities are superb and the course suited them more than me. I just tried my best and fortunately that was good enough.”
Du Toit, who recently dominated the inaugural Fairbairn Capital/Old Mutual joBerg2c with team-mate Lise Olivier, said she would now take some time off before focusing on a “busy” second half of the year.
“It’s fantastic to go into the winter break with some good results behind my name. If the boss is happy, I’m happy,” she joked.
Despite a hectic racing schedule over the past few months, Du Toit attributed her good form to being reasonably fresh.
“I fell ill after joBerg2c, which forced me to take a few days off. I think that rest came at just the right time. I’m already looking forward to the second half of the season.”
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
MTN CROSS COUNTRY SERIES, GEORGE
Even though I have been mountain biking for some years, this past weekend I participated in a Cross Country event for the FIRST time.
Although you still race your mountain bike it is a totally different experience.
The event took place at Saasveld College on the outskirts of George. The college is well known seeing that it hosts several mountain bike races during the year. Once you’ve ridden the trails around Saasveld it will become clear as to why it is such a popular venue. The trails are actually built by a handful of people who simply have a passion for the sport.
Their job also doesn’t stop once it’s built as they actually maintain it through literally sweeping and tidying on a regular basis.
My event took place on the Saturday and for that reason I decided to fly down on the Wednesday so I could spend some time riding on the circuit. I could feel that the more I rode on the course, the easier it became. Especially because I had the opportunity to follow some riders who are a lot more skilled than me and who don’t mind teaching me the finer details about mountain biking.
I enjoyed training on the circuit in the days leading up to my event, its just a great feeling to be able to prepare for an event and see yourself improve daily as you gain a bit more confidence.
All die ladies from under 16 upwards started together and we had to complete 6 laps of the 5km long circuit. As we were set off it was a flat out 200m sprint for placing into the single track. This being my first time competing in a cross country event I found myself around the back between the under 16 girls.
It didn’t make me nervous as I knew whatever happened I could only learn from the experience. I turned my focus to riding as smooth and consistent as I possibly could. On every lap I managed to pass a few girls and consequently move up in the placings to finish 3rd in the Elite Category.
I really enjoyed the event and I am looking forward to competing in more Cross country events in the future.
Elite Woman Results:
1st Ester Cluer (Team Jeep)
2nd Yolande Speedy (Team MTN)
3rd Yolandi du Toit (Team Bizhub)
Even though I have been mountain biking for some years, this past weekend I participated in a Cross Country event for the FIRST time.
Although you still race your mountain bike it is a totally different experience.
The event took place at Saasveld College on the outskirts of George. The college is well known seeing that it hosts several mountain bike races during the year. Once you’ve ridden the trails around Saasveld it will become clear as to why it is such a popular venue. The trails are actually built by a handful of people who simply have a passion for the sport.
Their job also doesn’t stop once it’s built as they actually maintain it through literally sweeping and tidying on a regular basis.
My event took place on the Saturday and for that reason I decided to fly down on the Wednesday so I could spend some time riding on the circuit. I could feel that the more I rode on the course, the easier it became. Especially because I had the opportunity to follow some riders who are a lot more skilled than me and who don’t mind teaching me the finer details about mountain biking.
I enjoyed training on the circuit in the days leading up to my event, its just a great feeling to be able to prepare for an event and see yourself improve daily as you gain a bit more confidence.
All die ladies from under 16 upwards started together and we had to complete 6 laps of the 5km long circuit. As we were set off it was a flat out 200m sprint for placing into the single track. This being my first time competing in a cross country event I found myself around the back between the under 16 girls.
It didn’t make me nervous as I knew whatever happened I could only learn from the experience. I turned my focus to riding as smooth and consistent as I possibly could. On every lap I managed to pass a few girls and consequently move up in the placings to finish 3rd in the Elite Category.
I really enjoyed the event and I am looking forward to competing in more Cross country events in the future.
Elite Woman Results:
1st Ester Cluer (Team Jeep)
2nd Yolande Speedy (Team MTN)
3rd Yolandi du Toit (Team Bizhub)
Monday, May 3, 2010
Newsletter 10: May 2010
Team bizhub dominates joBerg2C
3 May 2010 - Yolandi du Toit and Lise Olivier of Team bizhub made a clean sweep of the eight timed stages to win the women's section of the inaugural Fairbairn Capital/Old Mutual joBerg2c paired mountain bike race by the proverbial country mile in Scottburgh on Saturday.
The twosome - who finished third in the recent Subaru sani2c - completed the nine-day, 923km ordeal between Johannesburg and the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast in 45 hours 16 minutes and 50 seconds, more than two hours faster than their closest opponents.
Catherine Roberts and Marleen Lourens (Ducky Muds) were second, with Leanne Lange and Brenda Potts (Team Medscheme 1) completing the podium.
Veterans Andrew McLean and Shan Wilson (Toyota Cycle Lab) recorded the fastest overall time of 38:22:42.
"For many reasons, this is one of the most important wins of my career," said Du Toit, who replaced team-mate Ischen Stopforth a mere two days before the race started. "To be honest, I didn't think it would be this hard."
Du Toit (24) said she and Olivier (26) both experienced one "bad" day during the tour, but they were able to nurse each other to the finish on each occasion. "That's what team riding is all about."
"One's body goes through many ups and downs during a race like this and it is the teams who are able to adapt the best that come out on top. The secret of a fast time is how well the stronger rider on the day can look after the weaker one."
Du Toit said although the first day (121km between Suikerbosrand and Frankfort) was a neutral and therefore untimed stage due to the crossing of the Vaal River, it did a lot of damage and contributed greatly to the outcome of the race.
"Large stretches were over grasslands, which were very bumpy and energy-sapping. For me, it was one of the toughest days."
The former Pick ’n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge champion was full of compliments for her less experienced team-mate. "She is a very consistent rider, which is exactly what you want in a race like this."
Du Toit said the first three days were a shock to their systems due to the wet conditions. "Although the stages became slightly less demanding after that, your body gets more and more tired as you go along and in the end it becomes a battle of wills."
The Team bizhub duo is scheduled to take part in the 75km Karkloof Classic in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.
Stopforth, who withdrew from the joBerg2c due to illness, meanwhile won the three-day Klein Karoo Classic in Calitzdorp over the weekend. She finished first in all three stages en route to a fifth place overall.
The reigning MTN Series champion will now focus on preparing for the Amarider 100 Miler in Durbanville on May 22 as she continues her comeback from a broken collarbone and cracked pelvis.
Team bizhub dominates joBerg2C
3 May 2010 - Yolandi du Toit and Lise Olivier of Team bizhub made a clean sweep of the eight timed stages to win the women's section of the inaugural Fairbairn Capital/Old Mutual joBerg2c paired mountain bike race by the proverbial country mile in Scottburgh on Saturday.
The twosome - who finished third in the recent Subaru sani2c - completed the nine-day, 923km ordeal between Johannesburg and the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast in 45 hours 16 minutes and 50 seconds, more than two hours faster than their closest opponents.
Catherine Roberts and Marleen Lourens (Ducky Muds) were second, with Leanne Lange and Brenda Potts (Team Medscheme 1) completing the podium.
Veterans Andrew McLean and Shan Wilson (Toyota Cycle Lab) recorded the fastest overall time of 38:22:42.
"For many reasons, this is one of the most important wins of my career," said Du Toit, who replaced team-mate Ischen Stopforth a mere two days before the race started. "To be honest, I didn't think it would be this hard."
Du Toit (24) said she and Olivier (26) both experienced one "bad" day during the tour, but they were able to nurse each other to the finish on each occasion. "That's what team riding is all about."
"One's body goes through many ups and downs during a race like this and it is the teams who are able to adapt the best that come out on top. The secret of a fast time is how well the stronger rider on the day can look after the weaker one."
Du Toit said although the first day (121km between Suikerbosrand and Frankfort) was a neutral and therefore untimed stage due to the crossing of the Vaal River, it did a lot of damage and contributed greatly to the outcome of the race.
"Large stretches were over grasslands, which were very bumpy and energy-sapping. For me, it was one of the toughest days."
The former Pick ’n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge champion was full of compliments for her less experienced team-mate. "She is a very consistent rider, which is exactly what you want in a race like this."
Du Toit said the first three days were a shock to their systems due to the wet conditions. "Although the stages became slightly less demanding after that, your body gets more and more tired as you go along and in the end it becomes a battle of wills."
The Team bizhub duo is scheduled to take part in the 75km Karkloof Classic in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.
Stopforth, who withdrew from the joBerg2c due to illness, meanwhile won the three-day Klein Karoo Classic in Calitzdorp over the weekend. She finished first in all three stages en route to a fifth place overall.
The reigning MTN Series champion will now focus on preparing for the Amarider 100 Miler in Durbanville on May 22 as she continues her comeback from a broken collarbone and cracked pelvis.
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