Despite some challenges going into the race, Team RoadCover’s Bradley Potgieter said they were satisfied with their preparations for the Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Classic at Sun City on August 21.
Bradley Potgieter will be aiming for a strong showing for Team RoadCover in the Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Classic at Sun City next week. Photo: Yolanda van der Stoep
The team have had a number of successes this year and will be looking for another strong performance next weekend.
“The preparation has been going well, but obviously we have just had winter so it’s been a bit challenging to train properly in the cold,” Potgieter said.
He added that the major highlight of the year was Clint Hendricks’ victory in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, which demonstrated their effectiveness as a team.
“What I am happy about is that out of our six riders we have had five of them winning a race this year. It just shows that the team has nice depth and you can always count on your team-mates to pull the slack if there is a bit of a squeeze.”
The 27-year-old Potgieter, who grew up in Maritzburg, but now lives in Wilgeheuwel in Johannesburg, said the nature of the conditions meant the Sun City classic would be an open race, with a number of riders capable of contesting the finish.
“Because the route is mostly fast and flat, you find guys getting involved in the front of the race who are not normally there, and that brings a bit more tension into the bunch.
“It is just a matter of trying to keep calm in the closing stages.”
With the event being moved to the Sunday, the race returns to its original route, but Potgieter said he did not think this would affect the tactics. The mountain biking events will now take place on the Saturday.
“We will look at the route and the conditions we will be riding, although I don’t think the switch will be much of a curve-ball.”
Notwithstanding the open nature of the race, Potgieter said he felt Team Telkom would be an outfit to watch.
“I know they took a back seat from racing for a while so we don’t really know how they will come into Sun City.
“But I have heard they have had a few training camps and with strong riders such as Nolan Hoffman and Reynard Butler in their team, they have two cards to play when it comes down to the line.”
