Kloof rider aims for top spot at Tour Durban

KLOOF teenager, Tiffany Keep, is excited to once again tackle the women’s race at the aQuellé Tour Durban on Sunday, 28 April.

The 19-year-old first made a name for herself as a mountain biker, but in the past two years she has transitioned successfully to road racing. This was made evident by her recent shock third place finish in Cape Town last month.

The Highway local is excited to set her sights on her hometown major as she finished second to Kim le Court in a two-way sprint finish at last year’s aQuellé Tour Durban.

“I am quite excited for this race, as it is a home race for me. So far the road cycling scene has been going well for me this year.

“I have seen that I have grown in leaps and bounds, compared to where I was last year – tactically and learning how to read the race – and this has really helped me a lot,” she said. “I think that was evident in the Cape Town Cycle Tour and I feel that all the hard work is starting to pay off,” said the former Thomas More College learner.

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“I would view road cycling as something that I really enjoy, even though I came from a mountain biking background.

“I find that both disciplines complement each other and make you stronger, so I am looking forward to continuing my road cycling journey.”

Keep noted that some of the women’s teams were torn between doing the Durban classic and a race in Gauteng on the same day, but added she was sure the women’s race would attract another very competitive field.

“The Tour Durban is respected as a great race to do,” she said, “It’s got some nice climbing, some good descent and some nice views, and I want to be part of a hard, positive race, no matter what the field,” she added.

Keep will have to bring her A game as she will effectively be riding solo, and will have to combat the tactics of the bigger women’s teams racing on the day.

The aQuellé Tour Durban, presented by Bridge Fund Managers, takes place on Sunday, 28 April. Visit www.tourdurban.co.za.

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