We’re racing at the Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday 19 November. The team will field a four-rider roster of Hannah Barnes, Elena Cecchini, Christa Riffel and Trixi Worrack.

The UCI 1.1 women’s elite race over 94.7km forms part of Johannesburg’s biggest cycling event that sees more than 26,000 people cycle either in various racing or participation categories. The women’s race, starting at 06:00 in the morning, has over 1400m of elevation including a QOM near Berea.

Worrack, who has just returned to the road bike as part of her pre-season build up, says the benefit to race in South Africa at this time of year is two-fold. “For me I’m just getting back to being on the road bike after world championships in Norway. It’s not been easy this week! But I know it won’t take long to feel good again, and I hope it comes back as quick as Sunday!”

Worrack went on “To come here to South Africa means I’ve got the ideal warm training location and to have a short hilly race is a good way to start back into the pre-season. It’s also great to see that there are thousands of people who are going to be riding their bikes on Sunday. We’ve already seen so many people here riding and to be part of that will be pretty cool.”

“I expect that the race will be hard, not too fast though because it looks up and down all the time. I think that someone from our team will have good legs and we can look for a nice podium result,” added Worrack. The race can be followed on Twitter using #CC2017.

Worrack, Riffel and Cecchini will stay on in South Africa and take part in Coronation Double Century in Swellendam. On Saturday 25 November, 250 teams of between 6 and 12 riders will cover a 202km out and back time trial, with seeded departure times. The three riders will be split amongst mixed teams as they attempt to make it to the finish line of this event of camaraderie and team participation. More information on the event can be found here.