The raced proceeded down the M1 highway in an orderly fashion but came to life when the bunch was ripped apart on the climb to the first QOM 18km into the race. Just as the field was regrouping another wave of attacks and counter attacks was launched as the race headed up Joe Slovo towards Hillbrow. It was here where the main selection took place a leading quartet of four women emerged as the race descended to Ellis Park.
Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, Cherise Taylor, Jo van de Winkel and Lise Olivier got away 22km into the race with team mates working very hard to stall the bunch. Unfortunately Team Bizhub missed the break and the pressure was on them to make the chase as Nashua Toyota, Team USN and MTN Qhubeka had riders in the break. The time gap steadily grew to 1min 15 seconds with 47km to go.
Catherine Williamson must be praised for her effort to close the gap as she never gave up trying to chase the breakaway.
Nashua Toyota’s Moolman Pasio and Van de Winkel started attacking Taylor and Olivier on the drag just before Barberque Downs. These attacks continued on the notorious two drags out of Kyalami before the turn off into Waterfall Country Estate.
Moolman Pasio managed to cross over Taylor as she passed Van de Winkel in the sprint to the finish. Moolman Pasio took 1st place with Taylor 2nd and Van de Winkel 3rd with Olivier 4th.
Meanwhile things were also hotting up in the bunch with Williamson also making her move on the drag before the turn off to Barberque Downs. Anriette Schoeman closed the gap and counter attacked Williamson who was left behind to rejoin the bunch. MTN Qhubeka now found themselves in the situation where they had to chase down Schoeman with Nashua Toyota’s Lynette Burger and Robyn de Groot watching them closely. They managed to catch Schoeman 2km later on the finial drag 50m before the turn off to Waterfall Country Estate. Sarah Chemaly gave the lead out down the steep drop into the estate closely followed by Robyn de Groot with Lynette Burger protecting her back wheel. De Groot managed to out sprint Chemaly for the 5th place securing the team title for the team.
