
Die Burger Cycle Tour: Sharon Laws and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio. [photo courtesy: dieburgercycletour.co.za]
With the start only about 1km from the big climb of the day, it felt like about a minute before I was going flat-box to stay in the bunch. Old Hellshoogte Road is a winding 3.6km climb that averages 4.4%. My experience felt more like 8km at 10% but I was determined to stay with the pro-ladies as long as I could. After the first few corners I had already slid back to the middle of the pack but I could still see the stripes of the national jerseys who were setting the pace. I tried to keep up and keep my position but, about half way up the climb, I started to suffer. Knowing I had way more to give, I quickly shifted and picked up my cadence. To my disbelief, I could still see the front ladies and I was still in contact with the strung out peloton. With about 1km to the top, I cracked but, not knowing the climb well, I convinced myself it was only 2 more corners. Four corners laters, pulling a shamefully Thomas Voeckler-style pain face, I was hurting. I was standing quickly, changing gears, pulling on my bars, and doing everything I could to crest in contact of the bunch.
I turned the last corner onto the connecting main road to see the lead bunch summit about 10 seconds in front of me. I knew it was “now or never,” so I gave everything I could to the top. Frustratingly close, I set about chasing with a few other riders but we just couldn’t make contact. Our group of 4 eventually merged into a bunch of 50 and after about 10km of chasing, we hit a series of corners that broke focus. Afterwards, we settled into a good tempo pace and awaited the decisive big rollers towards the end of the race.

Racing through the winelands outside Stellenbosch in Die Burger Cycle Tour. [photo courtesy: dieburgercycletour.co.za]
Only 10 minutes down from 2 Olympians…a win in my book!
In a photo finish, Laws took the win with Moolman-Pasio and Jennie Stenerhag taking 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Way to go!
What a terrific season, with a crash and an international move!
Well done to all the women who push forward and inspire! Keep it up! There are many watching and climbing our own hills with your vision!
You did a great job but how do you pull up that extra energy,I have a lot but it runs down by noon. Think I will do the veggie thing but this partner of mine can’t but then again he is onlyb1/2 of this couple, right? Write- up is great! Andy.
Awesome job lady!