Hoffman still the Cycle Tour champ

NOLAN HOFFMAN (Team Abantu) defended his Cape Town Cycle Tour title in superb fashion yesterday, as he raced over the finish line in a sensational time of 01:01:49 in this year’s 47km ‘Show You Care Solidarity Ride.’

Crossing the line in an intense sprint, Hoffman held off stiff competition from silver medallist, Tyler Day (Team Westvaal) and third placed, Brenton Jones (Team Drapac). International professional cyclists, Team Etixx-Quick Step’s Mark Cavendish and main lead-out man, Mark Renshaw, competing in their first South African race, could not outsprint Hoffman.

Clocking speeds up to 74km/h, the leading peloton raced down the M3 in good weather conditions. With 10km to go, Team Biogen’s Kevin Evans went on the attack, establishing an eight-second lead ahead of the elite men’s peloton. The field chased him down, and caught him with 5km to go, allowing Hoffman the chance to break away at the end and cross the line first.

Ecstatic to hold off competition from top international and local riders to secure his second consecutive Cycle Tour win, Hoffman praised his “flawless” team. “The week before the race we dissected every kilometre from Hospital Bend so that we were well prepared. Today we bided our time and stayed close to the front throughout the entire route. It was only 47km, but it was the hardest 47km.”

The elite ladies raced in their own start group for the first time this year, and Lynette Burger (Team Activate Demacon), who gave birth nine months ago, took top honours in a time of 01:17:52. Last year’s winner, Cherise Stander (Team RECM) raced ahead of third-placed Maroesjka Matthee (Team Bestmed ASG) to claim the silver medal in her 16th Cape Town Cycle Tour.