Marzaan Mellett won the Gauteng criterium title in the U23 women’s race at the Gauteng Criterium Championships in Pretoria on Sunday, 13 September.
The Cycle Nation rider took the provincial U23 crown at the Boekenhoutkloof Testing Centre, finishing ahead of Bianca Botha and Chanel Orr.
Gauteng criterium title adds to Mellett’s season
Mellett’s victory added another championship result to her 2026 season. Earlier in the year, she won the South African U23 Individual Time Trial title.
The Gauteng result gave her a second major title for the season across two very different disciplines. One came against the clock, and one came in criterium racing.
That range underlined her growing consistency during a strong run of performances for the Cycle Nation women’s team.
Mellett also arrived at the championships after a successful weekend start. She finished second at the Blue Diamond Classic on the previous day before taking the U23 criterium title.
Luckemeyer completes elite podium
Cycle Nation also reached the podium in the Elite women’s race through Carmen Luckemeyer, who finished third and claimed the bronze medal.
Lize-Ann Louw won the Elite women’s title, while Sonica Klopper placed second. Luckemeyer completed the medal positions for the category.
The elite result gave Cycle Nation a second podium finish at the Gauteng Criterium Championships. It also added to the team’s women’s medal return on the day.
Luckemeyer’s bronze came alongside Mellett’s U23 victory, leaving Cycle Nation with medals in both women’s racing groups represented in the results listed from the championships.
Three Cycle Nation riders in women’s racing
Melissa Kretzinger also represented Cycle Nation at the Pretoria event. Her participation gave the team a three-rider presence across the women’s racing programme.
The combined showing continued a strong run for Cycle Nation’s women. Mellett and Luckemeyer both left the Gauteng Criterium Championships with medals.
For Mellett, the U23 win strengthened an already notable 2026 campaign. Her provincial criterium crown now sits alongside her national U23 time trial title from earlier in the season.
For Luckemeyer, the Elite bronze confirmed another podium performance for Cycle Nation against the province’s leading women. Together, the results made Sunday a productive championship outing.
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