Frances Janse van Rensburg had an exceptional day last Sunday, on her first ever Cape Town Cycle Tour.
Vryheid’s National Champion came second in the biggest cycle race in SA.
She described the race as a fight which she fought from the start right to the finish line.
According to Frances, she is extremely happy with finishing second overall and first in the Under-23 division.
Closer than close, Frances came second after crossing the finish line a few centimetres after Cherise Willeit, who is a five-time champion of the race.
Frances said she had an amazing day out on the bicycle, with hard and aggressive racing from a huge elite women’s bunch!
“I enjoyed every moment.”
One week later, the current U-23 National Road and Time Trial Champion showed her talents on the mountain bicycle, when she took her first Kamberg Classic MTB win at Glengarry on Sunday.
“This was my first time competing in this event and I was actually surprised to win,” said 19-year-old Frances. “I had hoped for a win before the start, but my goals were pretty much just to give my best and enjoy being back on my mountain bike.”
Frances, who rides for Absolute Motion on the MTB circuit, said the pace in the 60 kilometre race was very fast from the outset.
She added her legs only started to ‘come around’ at about 25km into the race, when she took the Queen of the Mountains.
Frances explained she put in a ‘bit of an attack’ at 30km, opened up a gap and then gave it her all from there to the finish.
She said a highlight was to race in such a beautiful place.
“The trails were absolutely amazing and the downhills quite technical and challenging.”
With many sporting and social events called off due to COVID-19, Frances said she was unsure of what her next event would be.
She is encouraged to ‘stay fit and keep the faith’.

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