![\"ccs-62657-0-90123000-1459969193.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-90123000-1459969193.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>The formidable Team Ascendis Health pair of Jennie Stenerhag (left) and Robyn de Groot (right) will be out to repeat their 2014 win at the 2016 KAP sani2c starting from 12-14 May. CAPCHA Photography\/Gameplan Media<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cI managed to go for my first ride since the operation on Wednesday,\u201d the 41 year-old said. \u201cThe operation all went well and my ride was surprisingly good but sani2c is still over a month away so I am not putting any pressure on myself to get into top shape too quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just taking it day by day and although I plan on riding every day, if I don\u2019t feel up to it I\u2019m not going to put pressure on myself to ride.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recovery process is a gradual one with Stenerhag eyeing a return to competitive racing in a few weeks\u2019 time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a Nissan Trail Seeker Western Cape event on 7 May \u2013 which will be my first race back \u2013 and it will be the week before sani2c, which I think should be more than enough time to get myself back into good form,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Stenerhag forms a formidable duo with De Groot, who had to pull out of the 2015 edition of the sani2c due to post viral fatigue syndrome, and the pair will hope that they are on top of their game when they leave Glencairn Farm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had worked out that before this year\u2019s Epic, Robyn and I had ridden in nine stage races together \u2013 that\u2019s a lot of riding and it means that we have got to know each other really well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are similar sorts of riders so we share the same strengths which I see as a positive to our partnership.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been through a number of ups and downs and we have become really good friends on and off the bike.<\/p>\n
\u201cRobyn has been in great form this year and with the South African Marathon Championships being her next target, she should be hitting top form by the time we get on the start line at the sani2c,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The KAP sani2c throws a number of obstacles at the riders throughout, including a back-breaking climb out of the uMkomaas Valley to end the second stage. Stenerhag however singles out the first day as being her toughest challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cI battle with the altitude on the first day, which makes the opening stage of the race the most difficult for me!<\/p>\n \u201cI always feel that the race gets easier and easier as we get closer to the sea \u2013 it might just be the mind-set but it helps me get through!\u201d Stenerhag said.<\/p>\n<\/a>It has been a tough few weeks for Team Ascendis Health star Jennie Stenerhag who had to undergo heart surgery following the ABSA Cape Epic however the 41 year-old star is at the KAP sani2c starting from 12-14 May. CAPCHA Photography\/Gameplan Media<\/span><\/p>\n