Olympics star An-Li Kachelhoffer has targeted the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope in March as one of her priorities for next year as she moves into a new phase of her cycling career.
The 29-year-old Cape Town Cycle Tour and national road champion is keen to make a statement in stage races after announcing this week she had signed for Team Bestmed-ASG from January.
South African cycling ace An-Li Kachelhoffer will take up a one-year contract with Team Bestmed, starting in January. Photo: Supplied
This year Kachelhoffer competed in the Olympics road race in Rio and ticked off some other individual goals as well.
Now she is keen to tackle the five-day Tour of Good Hope, which takes riders over a testing 490km course through the Cape Winelands from March 6.
“The Tour of Good Hope is one of the biggest tours in South Africa,” said Kachelhoffer, who finished third in 2014.
“As a rider, I haven’t really focused on tours in the past, but this event has my full attention next year. I’m going to give it my best shot.”
Kachelhoffer said she was also looking forward to working with Team Bestmed-ASG, with whom she has signed a one-year contract.
She said being part of the team would allow her to focus more on her riding.
“I think the team has got something completely different going on for next year and a system that I will also be comfortable in.
She added they would be doing intensive training in preparation for the Tour of Good Hope, which is presented by the City of Drakenstein and Scicon.
“A lot of the girls will be based in the vicinity of Paarl and we will all be training together.
“Our focus will be on building a bunch of young cyclists to a level where they understand the life of a professional.”
Team Bestmed-ASG manager Owen Botha said he was delighted to have Kachelhoffer as part of the outfit.
“An-Li will bring a wealth of knowledge to the team which bodes well for the younger riders.
“She has a fantastic work ethic and I’m sure that will rub off on the team as they train with her on a daily basis.”
Entries for the Tour of Good Hope close on November 30.
