Team Nashua Telecoms Dominates Podium
At Kumba Iron Ore Classic

Race Report : Alex Cooper

The ladies started the Kumba Ore Classic over 105km with all the licensed men. Neotel launched the first serious attack only 3km into the race quickly followed by House of Paints who immediately counter attacked. This left nearly all the ladies and vets behind. Only Team Nashua Telecoms riders and Jenny Stenerhage from Alpha Pharm managed to stay with the main bunch as continuous attacks was launched and speeds of 50km/ph plus was maintained.

Robin de Groot and several riders punctured 8km into the race but managed to get back to the bunch 3km later as the pace slacked a bit. The continuous attacks proved too much for Jade Roberts (Nashua Telecoms) and she was left behind 21km into the race. The next lady to be left behind was Robyn de Groot 35km into the race when she dropped back with number riders on a steep 1km climb. At this stage only ladies left behind in the main bunch were Anriette Schoeman (Nashua Telecoms) and Jenny Stenerhage (Alpha Pharm). They managed to hold their ground up to the 52km turning point where the bunch broke into at the turning point. Both Schoeman and Stenerhage stayed with the chasing bunch.

With 20 km to go it was clear that the ladies winner would be determined by a sprint to the finish. Stenerhage made her move as the bunch entered into the Island Resort with Schoeman trapped behind the men at the very technical entrance. Stenerhage managed to stay away the last 500m to win in 02:32:58. Schoeman’s 2nd place gave her just enough points to stay the leader in the Alpha Pharm Pro Series with Stenerhage 2nd and Ashleigh Moolman 3rd.