Underberg – The Drakensberg becomes the centre of attention for KZN cycling this weekend when the third annual Underberg Gran Fondo gravel race takes place on Saturday.
The 140km event has quickly built a reputation as a slickly organised, all-round test of gravel riding with some of the province’s top riders aware they face a tough two-pronged challenge from their rivals as well as a route that “has a bit of everything”.
One of KZN’s rising stars, recent aQuellé Tour Durban winner Josh Rheeders, is cautiously looking forward to what he expects to be a tough outing in the foothills of the Drakensberg.
“I’m actually a little nervous because I haven’t raced in a while,” said the Luso ACDC Pro Cycling Team rider. “I’ve done it the last two years and I’ve got some decent results so I’m quite keen.”
Rheeders finished fifth in the inaugural event in 2022 and then was just outside the top five last year, but is looking forward to the challenge.
“The event is always nice. It has a bit of everything so it’s actually a really fun race … but it kind of tests you a lot as well.
“The first half is really rolling through the river valleys, and then you get the big climb at about 60 kays. Then the second half of the loop is a lot faster, so you have bit of everything and that makes for some good racing.”
Rheeders mentioned the riders he was most worried about are David Shelley – “he had a good KZN Champs recently”, Kevin Benkenstein – “who is really good over the long distances” and Tyronne White. Other riders who are likely to be prominent as the leading group forms in the early kilometres include Michael Rowland and Sean Yelland.
On paper, the women’s race looks like being a relatively easy cruise for Hayley Smith as she prepares for the Swiss Epic later this year.
“I really enjoyed the Underberg Gran Fondo last year and I’ve entered for the Swiss Epic (mountain bike race) in August, so I thought this would just be a nice block towards that before we leave,” said the Bell Equipment rider who finished as runner-up to Joanne van der Winkel in the 2023 Underberg event.
Like Rheeders, Smith has a lot of respect for the route and is preparing herself for a long day in the saddle.
“It is quite a tough route – it is 140 kilometres and that is always going to be difficult. Last year once we hit 100 kilometres I was like: “I still have 40 kays to go!”
While Smith clearly has the best racing pedigree among the pre-entries, late entries are available at registration on Friday and Saturday morning and Underberg local Bianca Haw is rumoured to be entering which will provide Smith with a serious local challenge.
The racing start at 8am at The Olde Duck restaurant and the leaders are expected to finish just before 1pm.
The 140km event is the main race, but competitors also have the option of a 90km race and a shorter 41km.
