The national road cycling team that will take part in the five-day Tour of Eritrea next week is the strongest outfit that he has worked with, according to team manager Peter-Lee Jefferies.
“The team going to Eritrea is packed with talent and proven race winners,” said the 34-year-old who oversaw teams to the Tour of Ethiopia and Tour du Rwanda last year.
Clint Hendricks, a former Cape Town Cycle Tour winner, is part of the South African team that will be taking part in the Tour of Eritrea next week. Photo: Warren Elsom
Myles van Musschenbroek, pictured here (green) racing at Tour of Good Hope, will make his debut national appearance at Tour of Eritrea. Photo: Robert Ward
“I think this selection is perhaps the best so far with regards to the quality of the riders and the terrain we will be racing.”
Jefferies pointed out that the riders had been younger in the past but nevertheless managed to “punch above their weight”.
He said many in the current team had raced in Africa before and would have a good idea of what to expect.
“The style of racing in Africa is different to that in South Africa. The level is extremely high and last year we had to adapt our tactics to keep up.
“This team will be more than capable of executing a plan to combat the different style of racing and terrain.”
He said riders such as Clint Hendricks, Myles van Musschenbroek and Jayde Julius would bring a wealth of experience to the team.
“Hendricks is one of the best sprinters in the country and he has won the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
“Van Musschenbroek knows how to guide young riders in the bunch and will hopefully play an important role in the timing of our breaks or when we go on the offensive.
“We also have Jayde Julius who has perhaps had the most exposure to this high level of racing. He is a great talent and a solid tour rider with the ability to win on almost any terrain.”
The team left for the African country on Tuesday and will take part in four races over the next week and a half, including the Tour of Eritrea.
