Strong performance by Yolandi

9 June 2009

Konica Minolta's Yolandi Du Toit secured herself another podium placing this weekend in the two day Rooiberg Echo Challenge held on the 6th and 7th of June.

During the 1st stage Yolandi pushed hard into the leading position early into the stage. On one of the steep hilly sections the riders were forced to climb off their bikes and push and walk. It was at this point in the race that Yolandi was passed by Samantha Oosthuizen (Garmin).

On the following downhill sections whilst attempting to bridge the gap to Samantha, Yolandi slipped and fell and was passed by Yolandi de Villiers (Cycle Lab). Following the crash Yolandi struggled to get her rhythm again and was later caught by Yolande Speedy. With Speedy showing her excellent experience and technical skills, Yolandi was unable to follow.

The stage had around 60kms of single track and some tough technical sections with a long hard day behind her Konica Minolta's Yolandi finished the stage in 4th position overall.

Stage 2 over a distance of 85kms proved to be another tough day in the saddle for all the participants in the Rooiberg Echo Challenge. Yolandi once again came out fighting the previous days lengthy sections of single track were replaced by a number of loose rocky ascents and descents, thick sand and river crossings which required both skill and concentration.

"Both stages were long and very tough" said a tired Yolandi after almost 10 hours in the saddle over a period of two days. By the end of stage two Yolandi fought back from the previous days fall to finish 3rd overall in the hard two day event.

Final Results Rooiberg Echo Challenge
1st Yolande Speedy
2nd Samantha Oosthuizen
3rd Yolandi du Toit (Konica Minolta)