AFTER participating in the Amashova for 11 years, Jo Van de Winkel was over the moon to win the Women’s Elite category.

The Winston Park resident finished the race in 02:54:16 despite the challenging weather.

Winning in the Women’s Elite category means Van de Winkel was the first woman to finish the race.

“It was not a normal day; it was cold, the rain was pouring very hard, the roads were wet and it was windy. It was much tougher and more challenging than previous races,” she said.

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This year’s Amashova Durban Classic Race saw thousands of cyclists taking part in a spectacular showcase of talent and determination, cementing its status as one of South Africa’s premier cycling events.

The Amashova received more than 4 000 entries for the 2023 race. Cyclists of all skill levels, from amateurs to seasoned professionals, tested their mettle on the challenging course, in very wet and windy conditions along most of the route.

The weather did not deter the cyclists’ enthusiasm, and riders crossed the finish line with beaming smiles and high spirits.

Growing up in the Highway area, Van de Winkel said she is familiar with the route and has always supported the Amashova race even before she started cycling.

“It is always a great feeling to have the whole freeway to ourselves. What makes it more special is that we ride in the Comrades Marathon route,” she said.

The star has won previous races in the past, including the 94.7 race in Johannesburg and the Satellite Classic which is one of her favourite races.

“I love climbing races,” she added.

In 2012, she participated in the London Olympics.

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Van de Winkel is part of the Sandton City Cycle Nation team and said before she became a mother, she was a professional cyclist full-time.

“Sometimes, it is hard to juggle everything as I train six times a week, I have a full-time job at First National Bank and I am a mother of two and a wife. A win is always a reward for the work I’ve put in,” she said.

Being on the road is a breath of fresh air for the cyclist as she said she enjoys exercising, exploring nature and pushing herself.

“It clears my mind; I love the speed and adrenaline that goes with it. It is a stress reliever, putting things back into perspective. It is also great to work together as a team and have sponsors that support us,” she said.

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