5 Tips to Smash the Tsogo Sun Amashova


Michael Finch |

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Image Supplied
Image Supplied

The Tsogo Sun Amashova is celebrating Women’s Month by recognising loyal female cyclists who ride the popular Durban race each year.

This year, organisers of the event have asked Helen Laatz, who will ride her seventh Amashova, to share her race tips.

How It All Started

Laatz is a school teacher who started her cycling career in 2010 when she completed a 16km ride with her dad. Through training and perseverance, she has achieved her furthest distance of 180km with a top speed of 90kmph, careening down Durban’s infamous Field’s Hill.

Laatz describes herself as being a “couch potato” before she started cycling and remembers challenging herself to get out and ride with her dad – that’s when the bug bit!

“It wasn’t long before I started competing in different cycling races, with the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic being one of them.”

Riding it for the seventh year, Laatz is gunning for a personal best and pushing to finish in the top 25% of her age category!

Tips to Smash the Race

“The route has some challenging hills and a lovely finish where you can really give all you have left. I love the fact that you cycle from city to city,” says Laatz. The event finishes in Durban where riders dip their feet in the warm Indian Ocean at the end.

Helen Laatz trains for her seventh Amashova. - Image Supplied
Helen Laatz trains for her seventh Amashova. – Image Supplied

Laatz shares her top five tips to help first timers get to the finish line:

  1. Don’t start out too hard. You may feel excited and have adrenaline rushing through your body but there’s a long climb up Fox Hill near the start, it’s best to pace yourself and save your legs for Inchanga later in the race!
  2. Stick to what you know. Follow your training and do not try anything new on race day. You can test and buy things from the local sports shops, but don’t try it on race day, You don’t want to be stuck in a Porta-loo and miss that PB!
  3. Familiarise yourself with the route. It may look pleasant but do not be deceived, there are plenty leg burning hills along the way. Study the route so that you know when to push hard.
  4. Fuel up. If you’re not going for a sub three or racing elite, you’ll need to fuel your body and your muscles. Drink one litre per hour (as my coach Mark De Swardt says) and have a bar/gel/banana (whatever you’ve used as fuel during training) with every hour.
  5. Enjoy every minute! Take in the scenery, chat to fellow cyclists and it will be a day to remember!

 

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