Four members of one of the world’s top international female cycling teams, Team Liv-Plantur, are set to participate in the world’s greatest timed race, the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg, on November 15.
They are among three pro international cycling teams participating in the race for the first time in its 19-year history. They will also be up against top local women’s teams and invitational teams from across Africa, racing in an exclusively female peloton with the opportunity to win equal prize money to male participants.
The race provides a chance for pro cyclists to earn valuable Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) points which could strengthen their chances to participate in the Rio Olympics in 2016.
The Liv-Plantur team comprises the following four Dutch riders:
- Floortje Mackaij, 19, winner of the women’s Gent-Wevelgem classic in Belgium in March 2015.
- Sabrina Stultiens, 22, winner of the 2014 European Road Championships (women’s under-23).
- Kyara Stijns, 20, winner of the Dutch Junior National Championships Road Race in in 2013.
- Julia Soek, 24, a flexible all-rounder with two national race victories since 2010.
Floortje Mackaij.
Julia Soek.
Kyara Stijns.
Sabrina Stultiens.
The four arrive in SA on Friday 13 November and will participate in the Momentum Twitter Ride on Saturday 14 November from 7am, ending at the Ticketpro Dome in North Riding, Johannesburg.
They’ll compete in the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge in the UCI 1.1 ladies event on Sunday and will remain in SA for a two-day training camp before flying out on November 18.
Team Liv-Plantur is the sister team to Team Giant Alpecin, currently ranked 10th on the
UCI World Tour Ranking. Team Liv-Plantur is ranked 8th in the Women Elite UCI ranking.
The team’s manager Dirk Reuling said the cyclists were thrilled to be racing against South Africa’s best and other international pro teams.
