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Hayley Smith uses Underberg Gran Fondo as stepping stone to Swiss Epic

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Popular KZN cyclist Hayley Smith has been one of the province’s top off-road riders for the past decade. She now plans to compete in one of the world’s biggest stage races, the gruelling Underberg Gran Fondo, next month as part of her build-up to the 27th July 2024 event.

Last interview in the gsport Newsroom

“I really enjoyed the Underberg Gran Fondo last year and I’ve signed up for the Swiss Epic (mountain bike race) in August, so I thought this would be a nice stepping stone before we go,” said the Bell Equipment rider who finished second to Joanne van der Winkel in the 2023 Underberg event.

“I’m going to do it again on the mountain bike this year as part of our training for Switzerland.”

Popular KZN cyclist Hayley Smith

“I definitely struggled last year on my mountain bike, but because we’re using this as a kind of training ride, I’m happy to just be back on my mountain bike. I’m just riding at a pace that I’m comfortable with. I’m riding with Sanchia Malan, my partner at the Swiss Epic, so we’re at least a bit of a group.”

Smith, like many other elite runners taking part in the long 140km event, had to push herself at times on the hilly 140km course.

“It’s quite a tough route – it’s 140 kilometres and that’s always going to be tough,” the South Coast resident said. “Last year when we got to 100 kilometres I thought, ‘I’ve got another 40km to go!’”

“But I think we just have to wait and see what happens on the day and how the legs feel. It will be a good test to see how fit you are and if everything went according to plan with the training that went before Switzerland.”

From the gsport Newsroom archives

Despite the tough nature of the race, Smith is looking forward to her second Underberg Gran Fondo.

“I really enjoyed the event last year. It’s a really nice venue and the event is fun for the whole family because they have three different distances. I really like that they were able to include the different races so that the younger riders who come along have options too.”

The 140km main route takes riders on a circular course just outside the town of Underberg, through some spectacular scenery in the foothills of the Drakensberg. Competitors will take on three different valley systems, creating a great combination of hills and descents to test the riders’ fitness, strength and skill.

Riders also have the option of a shorter 90km event which follows the same route as the long event for the first 63km, before branching off and taking a ‘shortcut’ back to the race village on the outskirts of Underberg.

From the gsport Newsroom archives

For cyclists looking for a slightly more relaxing ride but still want to experience the atmosphere of the event, the 41km Tour de Farms is a relatively easy option without covering long distances.

Registrations are now open via MyActive.co.za. More information can be found on the UnderbergGranFondo.co.za website.

Main photo caption: Hayley Smith pictured en route to second place in the 2023 Underberg Gran Fondo. Smith will tackle the 2024 edition as part of her preparations for the Swiss Epic, one of the world’s biggest stage races, next month. Photo: Ant Grote/ Gameplan Media

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