I had hardly been on the bike during the week between W2W and the race at Meerendal, it was just recovery on the program. And I must say it worked well because during the last MTB race for 2015 I felt better than I have done in months!

Sometimes I wonder why the races here in SA needs to start so early…! The alarm went off at 3.45am so that we could get up and force down breakfast to be ready for the start at 6.30am at Meerendal! It was said to be a tough route with lots of climbing and single tracks and I was prepared for a tight battle with Candice since she was very strong at W2W! Mariske Strauss was also back after her injury and she would definitely be a threat. When we started the first climb I made sure to sit at the front so that I could ride my own pace and also be sure to be with them when starting the downhill, I could not let these 2 XCO riders go ahead! At the top it was only Candice and I, she got a small gap on the rocky descent but I could catch up quickly on the flat and we rode together until half the race when we passed the venue to start the second loop. She was very strong on one of the long climbs so I thought to myself that this is going to come down to a sprint! But as we started the first climb on the second loop I could see how she dropped off and on the longest climb of the day I opened up a big gap and could ride comfortably to the finish and win by 8,5 minutes. I was a bit surprised, I did not expect that after how I have felt the last month…

It was nice to end off on a high note and start my rest time knowing that the form is not too bad. I will take 2 weeks off now, but I might do the Stellenbosch cycle tour next weekend, just for fun, we will see:-)