Last year’s Tour Durban runner-up David Maree is targeting a better result when he returns for the KwaZulu-Natal classic on Sunday.
The BCX rider finished on the wheel of Bradley Potgieter last year but said he rated the team’s chances highly in the 105km road race on Sunday.
“This race is one of my goals for this year as I’ve grown to love the racing in Durban so I always do my best and try to do well.
David Maree plans to improve his result at this year’s Tour Durban. Photo: Tour Durban
“There are a few hard spots along the route that I’ll aim to ride strategically for.”
The 27-year-old rider identified the early ascent up the M19 as a section which could be significant.
“There’s the climb up the M19 and my focus there will be to place myself somewhere near the front so that if I get the chance to slip away, I’ll be in with a good chance.
“Last year we only rode away in the last 20km and I finished second, so if that happens again this year, maybe I’ll be able to go one better and get the top step on the podium.”
This year Maree will have to again contend with defending champion Potgieter but said the team were in good form and up for the challenge.
“Our main rivals will be RoadCover,” he said. “They’ll probably be the biggest team to watch as they have Potgieter and also Clint Hendricks, who just returned from Eritrea where he did really well.
“In a race like this it’s often the sprinters you have to watch, but it’s certainly not limited to them,” he said. “You never really know and there will be a few dark horses who could pull it off.”
The national omnium champion said he had been hoping for more wins this season, but felt his contribution to the team was a positive sign.
“Leading up to Tour Durban I’ve had a few highs and lows.
“I would like to have won more races this year, but if you look at us as a team, we haven’t lost any of the classics in the country,” he said.
“Basically every rider in the team has won a race and as part of the team, I’ve played a part in that so I’m happy with my form at the moment.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to put all of this together and just have a great race this weekend.”
