Fresh from his African continental U23 time-trial triumph, Stefan de Bod showed his ability to ride against the clock by winning the second stage of the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope road cycle race at Boland Agricultural High School just outside Paarl today.
The 20-year-old Dimension Data rider, who grew up in nearby Worcester, laid down a marker for his rivals by winning the Buffet Olives individual time-trial in 33:15 to erase an overnight deficit of 54 seconds.
He was followed on the podium by RoadCover’s Willie Smit (33:59) and teammate Nicholas Dlamini (34:43).
De Bod, with a provisional time of 2:55:08, will take a narrow overall lead into the third stage of the five-day, 490km race, presented by the City of Drakenstein and Scicon.
Dimension Data rider Stefan de Bod surged to victory in the Buffet Olives individual time-trial at the Boland Agricultural High School just outside Paarl today to claim the yellow jersey on the second stage of the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope. Photo: Robert Ward
Smit fills second place on 2:55:52 and Pro Touch’s Myles van Musschenbroek is third on 2:56:06, with the queen stage, which finishes on top of Du Toitskloof Pass, set to provide a strong challenge tomorrow.
With the time-trial forming a big part of his race strategy, De Bod said he was satisfied with the day’s result.
“I felt comfortable during the ride and with the course now shorter over 26km, I was able to go full gas from the start,” said the defending champion.
“You always want to try to make as much time as possible on the GC contenders.
“There was a bit of a wind on the road towards Paarl and then a crosswind coming back. However, the wind helped me at the end and I was happy with my power.”
In the elite women’s race, dormakaba’s Candice Lill took the honours in in 39:50 to move into the overall lead.
Candice Lill, of Dorma Karma, overcame a lack of experience to take the honours in the Buffet Olives individual time-trial at the Boland Agricultural High School just outside Paarl today, claiming the yellow jersey on the second stage of the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope. Photo: Robert Ward
She was followed by Namibian team-mate Vera Adrian, who clocked 41:45, with Chanel Mason of Café Riders third in 42:07.
After two stages, Lill sits on an overall time of 3:40:59, followed by Adrian (3:42:54) and Mason (3:43:16).
Lacking experience in time-trials, Lill said she had been helped by her coach and husband, Darren, who had taught her the basics.
She said her mountain biking experience also helped her.
“In mountain biking the effort is very similar to that of a time-trial, so I knew I could do well if everything went according to plan.”
The 25-year-old from Sun Valley in Cape Town said she had not put any pressure on herself.
“I had no real expectations going into the stage and all I could aim for was to put in my best effort. I think I managed to achieve that.”
The Bestmed Tour of Good Hope finishes in Paarl on Friday.
