As the day broke on Stage 3 of the FNB Wines2Whales, the clouds gathered above Oak Valley Estate and threatened to rain on Kim Le Court and Vera Looser’s parade, however the weather held as the Efficient Infiniti Insure Rare Street Coffee women raced to a third stage win and the FNB Wines2Whales title.
Stage 3 of the FNB Wines2Whales took teams on a 65 kilometre long route with 1 000 metres of climbing from the Oak Valley Estate race village to the finish at Curro Hermanus. In the Women’s racing, the three lead teams dominated the day through the opening kilometres before Candice Lill punctured, causing her and Rola Toyota King Price partner Mariske Strauss to drop back from the bunch. The drama didn’t end there for Lill and Strauss, however.
“You can’t make this up!” Laughed Mariske Strauss before explaining her blood covered arm. “We had a flat. I dropped my chain, and then Candice roundhouse kicked me off the bike. It was spectacular but I couldn’t stop laughing at the situation; but that’s racing, and we just had to compose ourselves and get to the finish in one piece.
“It’s a choice to stay positive out there,” said Candice Lill. “Every time that things go badly, Mariske and I have a way of turning things around. We make jokes, we laugh and that keeps the spirits high in the team and we always race as fast as we can.”
The commotion unfolding behind Le Court and Looser did little to distract the team from the task at hand and the fact that they were racing towards Curro to claim their third stage win, the Ciovita leader jerseys, the FNB Wines2Whales title and the R100 000 prize for first place.
“I don’t have words for this!” said an emotional Le Court. “It’s a dream come true. From when we took Stage 1, the win was definitely in our minds and I hoped that we’d be here at the finish with the jerseys on our backs; I am really happy, and I couldn’t wish for anyone else I’d want to win my first major stage race with.”
Despite the fierce competition in the women’s field, there’s an incredible level of respect and camaraderie amongst the professional racers, on and off the bike.
“The amazing thing is that we are all friends, but when that start gun goes off, we race each other,” explained Looser. “There are no freebies. We sprint for the trails but when we cross the finish line, we are all friends again. That really makes this so special and it’s the reason I love this sport so much.”
As the clouds finally broke and the rain poured down over Curro Hermanus, the FNB Wines2Whales Chardonnay wrapped up in high spirits and low temperatures.
“I’m already looking forward to coming back to South Africa next year,” said Luetzelschwab. “It was a tough first stage race, but Amy was a great partner and I hope we can race more Epic Series races together.
