Herzlia sports head comes second in CT Tour

TALI FEINBERG

While she won in her 50-54 year age group, her overall second was achieved against a much younger woman, Julie Borgers, who competed in the 30-34 age group.

Brenzel says her win “honestly came as a massive surprise. I have won my age group five times and was desperate to make it six, but I was sick for the last five weeks and did not think I would compete this year. When they called to tell me I needed to be at the prizegiving, I was overcome with emotion. Obviously, placing second overall was a complete bonus and my best achievement to date.”

Even though the day of the race was extremely windy, Brenzel was prepared for it. “I am not a fair-weather trainer. I will train in rain, hail and even wind because one never knows what race-day weather will hold. Wind has now become my friend and I knew it would play in my favour.”

This was Brenzel’s 15th cycle tour, and she has done them in all manner of ways. “I have raced it many times, but I’ve also paid it forward. I was asked by the Chaeli Campaign to tow a buggy behind my bike with a disabled boy riding it. We did this together for three of the tours.”

She has also done the Absa Cape Epic, the Double Century, Ironman, and a number of other races. She has won the South African National Road Cycling Championship’s time trial and toad race events, and last year represented South Africa at the World Championships in Italy, where she placed 14th out of 62 riders.

“Training involves 04:00 starts to get my two hours in before work. I train six days a week and between 12 and 15 hours a week. Headspace plays a massive role in all of this, as does eating right. It is impossible to do it without family support, as it really is a selfish game and very time consuming,” says Brenzel. “Most importantly, it is the absolute love and passion that I have for the sport that drives me to my success.”

She says Herzlia School has been extremely accommodating and supportive. “If you look at the Herzlia Facebook post about the race, you will see how the parents have reacted. It is so warming to know I am a part of this wonderful family. The school itself largely contributed to my success by affording me the time to go and compete in all these races.”

Brenzel would love to get more girls and women involved in cycling. “Of the 35 000-plus cyclists in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, only about 3 700 were women. Cycling is an extremely healthy sport with a lot less strain on the body. All shapes and sizes can take part.”

Brenzel’s plan was to retire last year and start helping others with their cycling, but now she wants to continue competing. “I would like to team up with former Cycle Tour winner and legend Cathy Carstens and try to compete in the tandem ladies’ event. I believe we have what it takes to give some of the younger girls a run for their money!”

Brenzel says cycling is a growing sport in the Jewish community. “We have now got a group of 15 pupils that are training in mountain biking. Get out there and live in the now – tomorrow may be too late.”