Champ dedicates win to Franschhoek mourners
CAPE TOWN Cycle Tour champion Nolan Hoffman dedicated his win to his mourning home community of Franschhoek yesterday after outsprinting some of the toughest international riders.
The tour, dubbed the “Show You Care Solidarity Ride”, saw nearly 34 000 local and international cyclists complete the shortened 47km route in support of firefighters and those affected by fires that ravaged the southern peninsula last week.
“Our condolences go out to the families of those involved. There were people we knew in there, and we keep the small community close to our hearts,” he said of the Franschhoek bus accident that killed two local rugby players and a supporter, while two cyclists were injured.
The new route began at the Civic Centre, on to the end of the M3 highway, then back to the finish in Green Point along Helen Suzman Boulevard.
Hoffman, who rides for Team Abantu, snatched victory for the second consecutive time in 1hr 1min 49sec. Behind him was Tyler Day of Team Westvaal, with Brenton Jones of Drapac in third place.
All eyes were, however, on Briton Mark Cavendish, winner of 25 Tour de France stages and widely considered to be the fastest road cyclist in the world. But Cavendish ended in sixth place.
The elite ladies raced in their own start group for the first time this year and Lynette Burger (Team Activate Demacon), who gave birth to a son nine months ago, took first place in 1:17.52.
Last year’s women’s winner, Cherise Stander (Team RECM), claimed the silver medal and Maroesjka Matthee (Team Bestmed ASG) bronze.
Matthee said: “We rode our hearts out for the firefighters and for those who have been affected by the fires. They are the real champions.”
Later, some cyclists sporting superhero costumes, clown suits and tiaras crossed the finish line en masse.
The crowd cheered when a group of firefighters crossed the finish line.
Cycle Tour Trust chairman David Bellairs said: “Cape Town Cycle Tour 2015 will go down in history as the sporting event that united us as a community to selflessly recognise the efforts and suffering of others.”
THE youngest victim of the weekend’s Franschhoek bus crash, 19-year-old Denzil Boonzaaier, will be buried in Groendal on Saturday.
Two Franschhoek Rugby Club players and a supporter died in the crash.
The club’s under-20 team, senior players and supporters were on their way to play in Grabouw, when an accident happened on the R45 between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp.
The driver tried to avoid hitting two cyclists and lost control of the bus along the Franschhoek mountain pass.
Emergency officials said 30 other people, including the cyclists, were injured.
Bonzaaier’ father Anton said he still could not believe he would never again see his eldest son walk through the door after a rugby game.
“The morning when he left for the game, he still showed me his moves here in the kitchen. As he walked out the door, he teased his mom, saying he hoped there would be beautiful girls in Grabouw.”
Anton said Denzil was a left wing in the team and lived for rugby.
“Rugby is a very popular sport here in Groendal and Denzil, like the rest of the boys, was mad about it. He would practise every free moment he had.”
The Bonzaaiers received the news of Denzil’s death on Saturday from one of his friends.
Anton is taking the news of his son’s death one day at a time, but said his wife was beside herself with grief.
“Her heart is broken. She is a strong woman, but she is taking it very hard.”
He said when he went to identify his son yesterday morning, he still looked like the beautiful boy he remembered. He would have turned 20 later this month.
“He always had dreams of being on television. It is sad, but in a way his dream came true with all the cameras reporting on him now,” said Anton.
Yesterday, South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins expressed his condolences to the families and friends of those involved in Saturday’s accident.
“This was most shocking and distressing news to receive on a Saturday morning – a time when rugby people all over the country are looking forward to enjoy playing or watching rugby.
“I can only imagine the shock and distress that must be going through the Franschhoek Rugby Club right now. My heart goes out to them.”