Nolan Hoffman of Team Abantu sprinted to his second victory in the Momentum Knysna Oyster Festival Classic in the Garden Route town on Sunday.
Nolan Hoffman celebrates as he crosses the line ahead of team-mate Reynard Butyler at the Momentum Knysna Oyster Festival Classic. Photo credit: Marlon Jacobs – Racetec
Hoffman won the 110km race in a time of 2:43:57 – a mere bike length ahead of teammate Reynard Butler and Stefan Ihlenfeldt of Lights by Linea.
The defending champion signalled his intent when he attacked within the first 15km, with only EuropcarSA’s Ryan Gibbons, Altech Autopage’s Hanco Kachelhoffer and CWC’s Raymond Cox able to follow.
The quartet built up a lead of one-and-a-half minutes before being reeled in by a charging peloton on the gruelling ascents halfway into the race.
Hoffman’s teammate HB Kruger won the King of the Mountain at the 65km mark. At this point, the peloton split with a select group of around 20 riders going clear in the final 40km.
Butler supported his captain over the undulating climbs to keep him in contention, while Kruger countered the attacks from the numerically strong EuropcarSA squad.
On the final climb 10km from the finish Kruger broke away with EuropcarSA’s Willie Smit and the two opened up a 10-second lead as the riders flew down towards Knysna town.
Safely tucked away in the chasing peloton, Hoffman waited for the final 400m before launching his trademark finishing sprint.
“As a sprinter, when you enter the final 15km in the front, something switches on in your head and your instinct kicks in,” said Hoffman.
“With HB just off the front in the final kilometre, it took the pressure off me. But, as we caught him, I just chose the perfect line through the final 90-degree corner and I just put my head down and went for it.”
For more results, photos and news go to Knysna Cycle Tour.
