The 2026 Amashova delivered a demanding 40th edition for the Cycle Nation Enza Construction Women’s Team on 19 July, with aggressive racing shaping the day from the opening climb.
Lisa Bone, Marzaan Mellett, Rachel Seaman and Carmen Luckemeyer lined up for Cycle Nation in a field that faced fast conditions. A light tailwind from the top of Foxhill towards Durban helped lift the pace. Riders then had to deal with a slight headwind in the final kilometres.
The mood at the start remained calm, but the race did not stay settled for long. The early kilometres quickly became decisive, and the climb of Foxhill split the field much earlier than many riders expected.
2026 Amashova road race breaks apart on Foxhill
Kelsey van Schoor made the first major move just five kilometres into the opening climb. Her sharp attack caught the bunch off guard and immediately stretched the field.
The acceleration set the pattern for the road race. Riders began losing contact only a few kilometres into the event, as the pace stayed high on the climb.
Cycle Nation lost Luckemeyer and Seaman early on Foxhill, but the team still had Bone and Mellett near the front. Around the eight-kilometre mark, Bone moved forward and lifted the tempo significantly.
Her effort put more pressure on the bunch and forced further splits. Mellett later lost contact under the sustained pace, before Bone also paid for her effort near the summit.
Six riders crested Foxhill together, leaving Cycle Nation outside the decisive selection. The team then had to reorganise behind a move that continued to gain ground.
Approximately 12 kilometres into the race, Mellett bridged across to Bone. The pair settled into the chasing group and worked together through the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
The chase kept pressure on the leaders, but the front group continued to edge further clear. Bone and Mellett remained committed as the race moved towards Durban.
Grove attacks late and takes solo victory
With about 30 kilometres remaining, S’Annara Grove made the race-winning attack from the lead group. She rode clear alone and held her advantage to claim victory after a powerful solo effort.
Behind, the chase group had reduced to five riders as the race approached Durban. Bone and Mellett still had enough strength for one final move before Tollgate Bridge.
The Cycle Nation pair broke clear of their companions and held the gap to the finish. Mellett secured sixth place while Bone followed in seventh.
Cycle Nation responds in the Amashova Criterium
The day continued with the Amashova Criterium, giving Cycle Nation another chance to contest the front of the race. Bone and Seaman combined well throughout the event and produced a strong team performance.
Bone sprinted to second place in the criterium, while Seaman secured third. Grove also won the criterium, completing a standout day after her solo road race victory.
The 40th edition of Amashova again produced open, aggressive racing. Cycle Nation narrowly missed the key road race selection, but the team’s determination brought a strong finish to the day in the criterium.