Ballito mountain biker cracks Andorra Epic top-10
Ballito's Sanchia Malan (37) and Stephanie Wohlters (40) from George braved the Pyrenean onslaught, finishing 6th overall in a stellar field with a combined time of 14:59:42. The race forms part of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar and is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
The Andorra Epic is one of Europe's most challenging mountain biking events, famed for its brutal course. Spanning four days in the sweltering European summer, it tested both endurance and skill to the limit.
'The riding in Europe is on another level; there wasn't a moment to relax,' said Malan.
Racing under the Index Property Solutions banner in the UCI women's category, the pair tackled 203km of high-altitude trails, featuring 6 500m of climbing and 7 800m of descent. The technical demands required total focus on both the climbs and the downhills.
Their success, they say, came down to preparation and the expert coaching of Barry Austin, Malan credited his emphasis on mental strength as pivotal in getting through the event.
'Barry's perspective on mental and physical readiness is so important. It really helped me focus and get through this race,' she said.
'Andorra has been another learning experience for Sanchia. She showed her best and has taken to my coaching like a Saffa to braaivleis,' said Austin.
Malan, who trains at Holla Trails in Umhlali, praised the diverse local terrain for preparing her for such demanding international conditions.
'We have some amazing places to train on the North Coast, which really helps for these types of races,' she said.
Wohlters, who sharpens her technical skills on George's world-class trail networks, trains under Reece McDonald of Science2Sport, a name synonymous with high-performance cycling in South Africa.
'It was an unforgettable experience racing in Europe,' said Wohlters.
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