Cycle Nation Enza Construction earned two elite women’s top-five finishes at Trailseeker Die Bosveld, with Rachel Seaman claiming third and Frances Swanepoel taking fifth on Saturday, 1 August.
The race formed the penultimate round of the 2026 Ford Trailseeker Series. It also delivered a career milestone for Seaman, who stepped onto a Ford Trailseeker Series podium for the first time.
Trailseeker Die Bosveld podium breakthrough
Samantha Sanders of Efficient Infiniti Insure won the elite women’s race in 2:51:46. She finished 1:33 ahead of teammate Sarah Maré, who secured second place in 2:53:19.
Behind them, Seaman fought Tshenolo Pro Cycling’s Tania Bugarin Ortiz for the final podium position. The contest stayed close deep into the closing stages.
The Die Bosveld course mixed fast jeep tracks, hard climbs and technical singletrack. Seaman found her best rhythm on the open sections, where she repeatedly restored lost ground after the technical parts.
Seaman said the route “sort of suited” her, especially the jeep track. She also admitted the singletrack exposed her technical riding, before she fought back again on the faster jeep tracks.
Seaman and Bugarin Ortiz reached the decisive final section together. The Cycle Nation rider then delivered a strong sprint to secure third place and her first series podium.
Seaman crossed the line in 2:56:40, finishing 4:54 behind Sanders. Bugarin Ortiz received the same time and placed fourth after their closely fought battle for third.
Cycle Nation double top-five finish
Swanepoel completed Cycle Nation’s strong team result less than a minute later. She finished fifth in 2:57:37, which placed her 5:51 behind the race winner.
Her ride ensured Cycle Nation placed two riders inside the elite women’s top five. Both Seaman and Swanepoel finished within six minutes of Sanders.
The result continued an encouraging season for Seaman, who has been building momentum in elite women’s mountain biking. Swanepoel’s fifth place added further depth to the team performance.
The pair’s finishes also underlined Cycle Nation Enza Construction’s growing presence in South African women’s mountain biking. Both riders continue to establish themselves among the country’s leading elite women.
Elite women’s results
- 1. Samantha Sanders – Efficient Infiniti Insure, 2:51:46
- 2. Sarah Maré – Efficient Infiniti Insure, 2:53:19, +1:33
- 3. Rachel Seaman – Cycle Nation Enza Construction, 2:56:40, +4:54
- 4. Tania Bugarin Ortiz – Tshenolo Pro Cycling, 2:56:40, +4:54
- 5. Frances Swanepoel – Cycle Nation Enza Construction, 2:57:37, +5:51
The Ford Trailseeker Series now moves toward its final round in Wellington. The season finale takes place on Saturday, 12 September, at Bosman Family Vineyards.
Related Cycle Nation stories
- Pritzen and Maré carry series leads into Die Bosveld Trailseeker showdown
- 2026 Amashova: Mellett and Bone Fight Back as Grove Doubles Up
- Kate Courtney Joins FDJ-Suez in Immediate WorldTour Switch
- 2026 Trans Baviaans route altered after May floods
- Ford Trailseeker Sondela: Maré takes series lead, Terlouw wins sprint