Myles van Musschenbroek feels confident ahead of the 775km, six-stage Mpumalanga Tour, which starts on Saturday.
But he has warned that some riders could struggle over the demanding route.
Van Musschenbroek, who will be riding for ProTouch Sports, said yesterday the toughness of the race should not be underestimated.
“The route has almost 16 000 metres of climbing in six days,” he said. “It’s probably one of the hardest races on the calendar, and it takes place so early in the year that it could get the better of some riders.
“It will be easy to see who has been putting in the hard work over the festive season and who has not. Some of the riders may not be at their best,” he said.
ProTouch Sports rider Myles van Musschenbroek, pictured here, feels confident ahead of the Mpumalanga Tour, which starts on Saturday. Photo: Richard Damant
However, his team was determined to win the overall title, he said.
“We have a great team and we have signed some good riders for the year. The team has a lot of depth.”
Personally, he felt strong, Van Musschenbroek said. “I put in some good training over the off-season and I’m confident.”
He expects the strong riders to go to the front on about the third day.
“It could be a touch and go. It will be important to stick to the basics. We have to keep hydrated and focus on recovery after each stage.
“The heat may play a big role. It usually gets really hot in Mpumalanga at this time of the year.”
Team BCX’s Chris Jooste could pose the biggest threat, he said. “He seems to be in good form.
“He’s very light and rides with a lot of power, so he should be strong on the climbs.
“Eddie van Heerden, I heard, is also in good form. We’ll have to keep a close eye on him too.”
The ProTouch riders will compete as a group for the first time, but the 25-year-old Van Musschenbroek, who succeeded at the Tour de Maurice in September, feels the dynamics of the team could pull them through.
“We’ll aim for a few stage wins and will assess and analyse each stage the night before,” he said.
“There are a few flatter stages, where we will use our sprinter, Reynard Butler, to lead and maybe win a stage.
“Mitch Eliot is looking pretty good too, so the depth is there.
“We’ll try to nurture and guide our younger riders. We can all learn from one another. We are positive.”
What the riders are in for:
Stage 1 – Blyde River to Swadini
Stage 2 – Swadini to Mount Sheba
Stage 3 – Mount Sheba to Mbombela Stadium
Stage 4 – White River to Mbombela via Umjindi
Stage 5 – Mbombela Stadium to eManzana
Stage 6 – eManzana to finish at Loskopdam.
