While the fast route may not favour them, Willie Smit’s RoadCover team are determined to challenge for the title when the 20th edition of the Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Championship takes place at Sun City on Sunday.
The weekend’s feature 103km race will have the country’s sprinters lining up for a shot at the title, with the BCX team, including Nolan Hoffman and Reynard Butler, holding most of the aces.
Willie Smit will be part of the RoadCover team aiming to challenge for the title in the 103km road race at the Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Championship at Sun City on Sunday. Photo: Memories4U Photography
Hoffman is the defending champion but Smit said they were ready to deliver a strong challenge, with Clint Hendricks their key rider.
“It is no secret that we will take an aggressive approach, which is something that will suit Clint.”
Hendricks showed his speed when he won the final stage of the Lowveld Tour in a gallop to the line ahead of Butler and Hoffman.
“We know that BCX will be behind Nolan and the conditions will suit them, but we will try to make it difficult for them,” said Smit, who is fresh from winning three races in Europe.
The African continental road champion added that Hoffman’s speed made him a dangerous rival, while he felt Butler was also looking good after the Lowveld Tour.
“I can’t see anyone else being faster than them.”
The two-day cycling festival on Saturday and Sunday will attract thousands of competitors to the Pilanesberg resort to celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the country’s longest-running events.
In that time the race has raised more than R3.6-million for the Cancer Association of South Africa.
In addition to the 103km feature event, Sunday’s road programme will include a 70km race. Saturday’s mountain bike races are over distances of 25km and 50km.
