Despite being a couple of days late to the party, it's time to join in the fun and pain known as the Tour de Free State.

After the success of the inaugural edition of the Tour de Free State, the first UCI women's tour event in South Africa, the second edition promises much, especially considering the helter skelter approach that could be taken because of the May 31st deadline for Olympics points scoring qualification. The top 6 nations send 4 riders to the Olympics, 6-13 have 3 and 13-24 have 2 riders. Brazil occupy the 13th spot at the moment.

The race itself, shall offer some fireworks with altitudes in the race going over 2000 metres for the women to duke it out through some stunning scenery in the Highveld including the Golden Gate Highlands national park, Fouriesburg and pretty much every other town in the region.

So, how much will the women light up the world of cycling in these few days?

The Mushroom Rock in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park


Landscape in Fouriesburg-


The Free State Farmhouse in Clarens-

Photos courtesy outdoorphoto ZA and from individuals whose photos turned up on google search.

The best startlist I could find, not a greatly informative list unfortunately-
http://women.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MjMwMDI=

Stage 1-


Stage 2-


Stage 3-


Stage 4-


The Qhubeka team, which has the best communication among all the involved, isCharlotte vd Merwe, Karien Alberts, Sarah Chemaly, Anriette Schoeman

Stage 2 was well affected by crosswinds, and Rusvelo and Ukraine took control of the race early on before Lotto went to the fore, working for their leader Ashleigh Moolman, a Jaarpie.

Seems to have been many attacks in the last 20km of stage 2 with Rusvelo starting the it off, but stayed largely together till the finish, where Laura Van Der Kamp from Holland Team Dolmans Boels took victory.

Stage 2 results-
http://www.cyclingsa.com/App_Resources/Uploads/FILE00001419.pdf

GC after 2 stages-
http://www.cyclingsa.com/App_Resources/Uploads/FILE00001420.pdf

Still waiting on a report

Will post info about stage 3 later, but the South Africans have some grouse strips

SA selection team-


This seems to be Ashleigh Moolman in the Saffie leader's strip-


Stage 1 photos
http://www.cyclenation.co.za/news/road-news/womens-racing/item/9647-tour-de-free-state-stage-1-gallery

Stage 2 photos
http://www.cyclenation.co.za/news/road-news/womens-racing/item/9651-tour-de-free-state-stage-2-gallery

Finally got some info about the final stage.

Winner was home favourite Ashleigh Moolman ahead of the overall classification winner, Emma Johansson.

Johansson won the GC ahead of Kupfernagal and Moolman.

A small report on the final stage-
http://www.bicycling.co.za/race-news/local-racing-news/sas-moolman-claims-final-tour-de-free-state-stage/

And the final GC-
http://www.cyclingsa.com/App_Resources/Uploads/FILE00001433.pdf

Videos

Rest day video