Local athlete soon to pedal for country
On Tuesday Cycling South Africa announced the team that will represent the country at the 2016 UCI Road World Championships taking place in Doha, Qatar from October 9 to 16.
Local proficient rider, Samantha Sanders will join a group of six elite ladies. “It is something I really worked hard for and it is great to know that I have been noticed. It is an honour to represent my country,” said Sanders.
Earlier this year she represented SA at the Continental Championships, Morocco where she got a podium-place finish.
Also read: Win in third stage gives local team second place
She only started focusing on being selected for the team late last year. She aims to finish in second place in the time-trail event. “She is a strong rider and the course in Doha should suit her,” said Cycling South Africa’s Road Cycling Commission director, Bosseau Boshoff.
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, who was 10th in the road race at the recent Rio Games, would
be in the forefront of the group, while Reinardt Janse van Rensburg would lead a trio of men in the
absence of Olympic riders Louis Meintjes, who was seventh in Rio, and Daryl Impey.
Also read: The best is yet to come for Sanders
“This is the first year that we have sent such a large women’s team to the world champs.
To have the two junior ladies in the team as well will provide such great experience for them, and help us to grow and develop women’s cycling even more in the country,” concluded Boshoff.
Qatar is the first Middle East country to host a road world championship, and second Asian country after Japan in 1990. The team will depart for Doha on October 7.
National team for 2016 UCI Road World Championships
Elite men
Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg
Clint Hendriks
U/23
Stefan de Bod
Elite ladies
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio
Heidi Dalton
Anriette Schoeman
Samantha Sanders
Lisa Olivier
Zanele Tshoko
Junior men
Devin Shortt
Damean Oosthuizen
Jason Oosthuizen
Junior ladies
Nicolene Marais
Lynette Benson.
