logo
Ballito mountain biker cracks Andorra Epic top-10

Ballito mountain biker cracks Andorra Epic top-10

The Citizen11-07-2025
Two South African mountain bikers delivered a superb team performance at the renowned Andorra Epic MTB Stage Race, held from 3 to 6 July.
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.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BREAKING: Sundowns star back from Europe but off to Tanzania!
BREAKING: Sundowns star back from Europe but off to Tanzania!

The South African

timean hour ago

  • The South African

BREAKING: Sundowns star back from Europe but off to Tanzania!

Mamelodi Sundowns star defender Rushine de Reuck is back from Europe but he's already set for a move to Tanzania. De Reuck spent last season on loan at Israeli outfit Maccabi Petah Tikva in search for regular game time. However, things just did not go his way as he only featured four times for Petah Tikva during this stint. Now, with his loan spell over, De Reuck is back at Chloorkop but he's reportedly on his way to Tanzanian giants Simba SC. Simba SC are coached by De Reuck's former coach at Maritzburg United Fadlu Davids, and the South African mentor is a huge fan. It was at Maritzburg United, now known as Durban City, where the lanky defender played his best football. Sundowns then came knocking for signature four years ago, but injuries contributed to his lack of game time before he was loaned out. According to sources known to iDiski Times , De Reuck has already penned a one-year deal with Simba SC. Rushine de Reuck while at Sundowns. Image via Instagram @rushine23_rd3 'Mamelodi Sundowns defender Rushine De Reuck is set for a surprise move to Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC ahead of the new season,' reads part of the report. 'Sources close to the club have confirmed he has penned a one-year deal with the East African giants who are aiming to strengthen their squad to challenge for domestic honours and for their return to the CAF Champions League this season.' Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Junior Springboks: What schools they went to
Junior Springboks: What schools they went to

The South African

timean hour ago

  • The South African

Junior Springboks: What schools they went to

The Junior Springboks are world champions. Image: SA Rugby website Home » Junior Springboks: What schools they went to The Junior Springboks are world champions. Image: SA Rugby website The Junior Springboks followed in the footsteps of the Springboks and Blitzboks to become world champions. The Junior Springboks further stamped South Africa's authority over world rugby when they beat New Zealand 23-15 to become world champions. Some of the traditional giants of South African schools feature prominently. 15 Gilermo Mentoe (Bishops)14 Cheswill Jooste (Noordheuwel)13 Demitre Erasmus (Garsfontein)12 Albie Bester (Boland Landbou)11 Jaco Williams (Glenwood)10 Vusi Moyo (KES) 9 Haashim Pead (Bishops) 8 Wandile Mlaba (Michaelhouse)7 Bathobele Hlekani (Graeme)6 Xola Nyali (Wynberg)5 JJ Theron (Grey College)4 Riley Norton (captain) (Paul Roos)3 Herman Lubbe (Stellenberg)2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (KES) 1 Simphiwe Ngobese (DHS) 16 Jaundré Schoeman (Noordheuwel)17 Oliver Reid (Paul Roos)18 Jean Erasmus (Grey College)19 Jaco Grobbelaar (Fichardtpark)20 Matt Romao (Drostdy)21 Stephanus Linde (Voortrekker)22 Ceano Everson (Monument) 23 Dominic Malgas (Nico Malan) Traditional SA schools giants Paul Roos and Grey College continue to produce national players for SA rugby. Paul Roos had two players including captain Norton and replacement prop, Reid. Meanwhile, Grey College also produced two of Junior Boks – JJ Theron and replacement Jean Erasmus. Furthermore, KES, Bishops and Noordheuwel all produced two players each in the U20 Championship final. U20 Championship top point-scorer, Muyo and hooker, Mnebelele (both from KES) started the final against New Zealand. Also, Bishops produced talented scrumhalf Paed and dangerous fullback, Mentoe. So, not one of the 23-man squad comes from Affies or Paarl Gimnasium. Finally, Noordheuwel also had a couple of players in the side. Skilful winger Cheswill Jooste and replacement hooker Jaundré Schoeman come from the Krugersdorp High School. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

Schoolboy First XV fixtures: Bumper weekend ahead
Schoolboy First XV fixtures: Bumper weekend ahead

The South African

timean hour ago

  • The South African

Schoolboy First XV fixtures: Bumper weekend ahead

There are several mouth-watering schoolboy rugby fixtures scheduled around South Africa this weekend. Here's the full list ... Image: Home » Schoolboy First XV fixtures: Bumper weekend ahead There are several mouth-watering schoolboy rugby fixtures scheduled around South Africa this weekend. Here's the full list ... Image: It's not just the potential Australia vs British & Irish Lions series decider this weekend, there are also several mouth-watering schoolboy rugby fixtures scheduled around South Africa. As we count down to the biggest schoolboy derby in the world – Paarl Gimnasium vs Paarl Boys' High on Saturday, 2 August – before we get there, there are a number of fixtures you shouldn't miss. Below, selected fixtures from around the country this weekend: Eastern CapePort Rex vs Daniel PienaarHudson Park vs SelborneStirling vs DaleGrey High vs FramesbyNico Malan vs DF MalherbePearson vs GraemeMarlow vs Queen's Brandwag vs Muir Central regionVoortrekker (Bethlehem) vs DiamantveldGoudveld vs SentraalWitteberg vs Jim Fouche Trio vs Fichardtpark KwaZulu-Natal Northwood vs Glenwood NoordvaalAffies vs Maritzburg CollegePretoria Boys' vs KESJeppe vs DHSNorthcliff vs ParktownGarsfontein vs MonumentRustenburg vs EG JansenNoordheuwel vs WaterkloofTransvalia vs HelpmekaarMarais Viljoen vs WesvaliaLigbron vs KlerksdorpMiddelburg vs ZwartkopHTS Middelburg vs Kempton ParkLichtenburg vs Ben VorsterPietersburg vs HeidelbergSecunda vs MontanaHugenote (Springs) vs Die AnkerEldoraigne vs DinamikaPotch Volkskool vs JeuglandBergsig Akademie vs Ermelo Randburg vs Merensky Western CapeHugenote vs Charlie HofmeyrOuteniqua vs StellenbergOakdale vs DrostdyPaarl Boys' vs SACSBoland Landbou vs BishopsPaul Roos vs RondeboschPaarl Gim vs WynbergDurbanville vs BrackenfellStrand vs SwartlandTygerberg vs Milnerton Parel Vallei vs Worcester Gim NOTE: More fixtures will be added as matches are confirmed. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store