Strong local flavour for Cape Town Tour

While the country’s top international cyclists have returned to Europe to represent their trade teams on the world circuit, locally based riders will be challenging for supremacy tomorrow at the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

The annual 109km road race, taking place in the Mother City, again looked to have attracted a strong domestic contingent who were chasing the prestigious men’s and women’s crowns.

Nolan Hoffman (right), who won a tight sprint for Team BCX last year, was set to go in search of his fourth title.

The former track specialist, who also won in 2014 and 2015, was aiming to become only the second man to secure more than three victories, after five-time winner Willie Engelbrecht.

Meanwhile, after attempting a separate start for the first time last season, organisers confirmed the elite women will again begin at a different point, and they would compete over a shorter 78km distance.

“It was great for the women to have their own race,” said Mauritian rider Kim le Court, looking back on her win last year.

By ensuring they were not being obscured or blocked by male riders, Le Court felt the organisers had given the elite peloton another chance to launch a real tactical battle.

“It made for positive racing (last year) and team tactics were crucial,” said Le Court, the only foreign woman to have won the race in the last decade.

“I think we showed that we deserved to have our own race. It ensured a clear run all the way to the finish and it was epic.”

While typically strong winds of more than 30km/h were predicted tomorrow, moderate temperatures and good conditions were expected for the field of 35 000 participants at the 41st edition of the world’s largest timed cycle race.