![\"ccs-62657-0-08126300-1447419594.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-08126300-1447419594.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>South Africa is abuzz amidst the arrival of three prominent international women\u2019s cycling teams, African teams and local women\u2019s teams ahead of the 2015 Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge taking place in Gauteng on Sunday 15 November. Photo: supplied.<\/span><\/p>\nCycling South Africa Women\u2019s Commission Director, Lise Olivier, is constantly driving her passion and energy on the bike, into projects that encourage and embrace the development of women\u2019s cycling in and around the country. She says, that this race status could not have come at a better time for South African women cyclists.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year has been incredibly historic for women\u2019s cycling in the country and Africa, and having a UCI 1.1 women\u2019s race here on Sunday is the best way to end the 2015 season,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Olivier mentioned that the talent witnessed over the past few months from women cyclists around Africa has been amazing.<\/p>\n
She spent time at the WCCA women\u2019s training camp last month, and had this to say: \u201cThe ladies that I spent some time with at the World Cycling Centre Africa\u2019s women\u2019s training camp are remarkable. It was incredible to see them so eager, and all helping and teaching each other in order to better themselves. I hope that in the future we are able to accommodate more and more women cyclists from around the continent.\u201d<\/p>\n
When speaking about how far women\u2019s cycling has come in South Africa, Olivier said: \u201cFive years ago when I lined up on the start line of my first African Continental Championships in Rwanda, there were only six or seven women that raced, representing two countries. In February this year, there were 30 women from 14 different Africa countries. And it remained consistent with similar numbers at the African Games in Brazzaville this year. The talent at the second training camp at the UCI World Cycling Centre Africa is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two time Olympic gold medallist and multiple World Champion, Marianne Vos, said that the women would be exposed to new race tactics that will come into play during the race. \u201cThe short 94.7km distance and bigger field made up of high level cyclists will be fast from the start. I expect to see that the race will explode on the first proper climb. The length of the route lends itself to early attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n
South African women\u2019s cycling ambassador and pro cyclist, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio of the Bigla Pro Cycling Team, said that for the younger women and girls in the sport, to be part of a race of this size is really great and shows what the level of cycling needs to be in order for them to achieve top results.<\/p>\n
The 2015 Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge brings the streets of Johannesburg alive with electricity, passion and excitement of cyclists and supporters each year. This year will be the first year that the women\u2019s race has the UCI 1.1 prestige attached, resulting in an even larger international attraction.<\/p>\n
For spectators, this is a chance to witness the talent of some of the greatest women cyclists in Africa and the world battling it out on the streets of Johannesburg.<\/p>\n