Durban North cyclist claims maiden Virgin Active Ride Joburg
This was S'annara Grove's best performance at the race - last year she suffered a puncture which saw her finish outside of a podium spot.
JUST a month after her triumph in the women’s elite race (106km) at the recent Amashova National Classic, Durban North resident S’annara Grove cycled to victory in Johannesburg, winning the women’s elite race (97km) at the Virgin Active Ride Joburg.
The event which attracted the crème de la crème of South African cyclists saw competitors race through several of the City of Gold’s iconic landmarks.
This was the 30-year-old’s best performance at the race – last year she suffered a puncture which saw her finish outside of a podium spot.
Related article: Durban North cyclist reflects on Amashova victory
It has been a triumphant year for Grove who also represented South Africa at the UCI Road World Champs in Zurich, Switzerland, in September.
At this year’s Virgin Active Ride Joburg, a nail-biting sprint finish saw Grove (Oshea Doltcini), beat Namibia’s Vera Looser (Infiniti Insure) and Hayley Preen (Freewheel Cycology), with all three of them finishing in a time of 2:46:44.
“Normally when you’re about to cross the finish line you post up to ride across but I was shocked to be honest. I knew I was in front of Vera by half a wheel when we crossed the line. When I looked at the photos though I didn’t realise how close it actually was in the end. I do feel my success in terms of results was a long time coming. In 2023 I had the possibility of getting the results but it just never played out. This year things rolled in my favour a little bit. I had a lot of bad luck last year, from a puncture at Ride Joburg, to breaking my handlebar at the SA Champs.
“Going into the race I was a bit fatigued but on race day I actually felt really good. My goal going into every race is to be one of the fittest riders on the start line. I knew I was the quickest rider in the bunch but I didn’t want to end up in a sprint with Vera (Looser). Winning the race was what I was hoping for and that has given me all the motivation I need as I head into my next training programme,” she said.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
