Hoffman grabs a second gold after thrilling sprint finish

THE Points and Keirin races dominated the track for the elite and junior riders on the fifth day of the 2017 South African National Track Championships at the Bellville Velodrome yesterday.

The much- hyped elite men’s Elimination National Title went to Nolan Hoffman,

claiming his second gold medal at the championship so far.

Hoffman beat Evan Carstens into second place, with Graeme Ockhuis grabbing the bronze medal.

With names like Calvin Beneke and defending champion David Maree falling out of contention there were soon only five riders left in it.

Ockhuis, Hoffman, Carstens, George Perrins and Reginald Benjamin all hoped to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

With the pressure on and the laps almost done, Benjamin, Perrins and Ockhuis were eliminated, leaving the final sprint to Carstens and Hoffman.

Again, Hoffman had the legs on the day and successfully added another gold medal to his tally after the previous day’s Scratch win.

In the elite men’s Keirin Final, the race went right down to the wire and it was Jean Spies who pipped Jean Smith to the post in an electrifying sprint which silenced the cheering crowds as the drama unfolded.

Jason Oosthuizen swept up two more gold medals at the competition when he won titles in both the junior men’s Elimination and Keirin events.

Bernette Beyers continued her winning streak for the week when she secured the gold medal in the elite women’s 1 500m Keirin.

Jennifer Abbott and Victoria Myburgh rounded out the podium.

Ashleigh Parsons rode a bold race in the junior women’s 1 500m Keirin, securing gold.

The Under-17 boys 1 500m saw Mirsab Jordan take the sprint to beat Matthew Fortuin.

Fortuin had success in the 20-kilometre Points event when his tactical approach netted the most points (33) ahead of second-placed Stefan Marais, on 28.

Kelsey van Schoor lapped her competitors and friends Imaan Phillips and Mischka Strydom in the Under-17 Girls Points race to take the most points and first place.

The 2017 South African National Track Championships finish today, with the final day racing for the Omnium National Titles. For more information and results or for any updates, please visit https:// www.cyclingsa.com/2017-sa-trackchamps/