![\"ccs-62657-0-94706200-1409054958.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-94706200-1409054958.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBestmed-ASG junior cyclists (from left) Michelle Benson, Catherine Colyn and Monique Gerber will represent the future of South African women\u2019s cycling at the UCI Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain, from September 21 to 28. \/\/ Photo: Gerda Benson.<\/span><\/p>\n Gerber and fellow Bestmed-ASG teammates Catherine Colyn and Michelle Benson will make up the junior female component of the national team, which was announced by Cycling South Africa on Friday.<\/p>\n Team manager Owen Botha was pleased by the inclusion of his charges and he was hopeful that they would become the core of the senior women\u2019s team in years to come.<\/p>\n \u201cOur aim is to develop internationally competitive female riders, and specifically for the Commonwealth (2018) and Olympic Games (2020).\u201d<\/p>\n Gerber, from Port Elizabeth, has just returned from the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Korea where she focused on the individual pursuit and scratch races.<\/p>\n Botha said only Gerber and Benson would participate in the 14km individual time-trial in Spain, which would be the latter\u2019s main goal.<\/p>\n According to him, all three riders were entered for the 72.8km road race, which featured two telling ascents on each lap for a total of 1 224 metres of climbing.<\/p>\n \u201cCatherine can climb very well, so the course should suit her,\u201d said Botha.<\/p>\n The fast and technical nature of the closing kilometres could however favour a rider like Gerber if the racing stayed close, said Botha. \u201cIf she hangs on she has a very good chance of victory.\u201d<\/p>\n