Burger crossed the line in the much reduced 47km circular route, instead of the traditional 109km, in a time of 1:17:52, and was closely followed by Cherise Stander and Maroesjka Matthee, both of whom sensationally clocked the same time as Burger.
The reducing of the route took place for the first time in the race’s 38-year history, due to the aggressive fires which ran riot in Cape Town, making the original 109km route unsafe for cyclists.
“Winning the Cape Town Cycle Tour is definitely one of my career highlights,” said a proud Burger.
“I’ve been second and third, but had never won it; it means so much to me and also to our sponsors.
“Everybody knows this race, so to say that I have won it makes it very special, also giving back to the firefighters who risked their lives during the week leading up to the race.”
The men’s elite race was won by Kyle Hoffman, in a time of 1:01:49, with Dis-Chem Ride for Sight winner Tyler Day clinching the runner-up spot. Brenton Jones completed the podium.
Burger, who came out of retirement following the birth of her now 10-month-old baby, added that the Cape Town triumph is arguably her biggest.
She also recently won the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight event, before finishing second in the Carnival Macsteel race.
“I have won many South African elite women’s titles and even world champs in my category (30-34), but this victory is definitely up there with all of them,” she said.
“This has been one of the best years for my cycling.
”I never thought I would race professionally again, following the birth of my baby, but I guess I can’t stay away.
“This year I did my first race (The Fast One) for my new team, Activate/Demacon, and managed to win it.
“I then competed in the Serengeti race the following week and our team placed first, second and third.”
Burger also won bronze at the South African Nationals, in Nelspruit. -@SabeloBoksburg
