Defending champion Kent Main and 2016 winner Stefan de Bod will be looking to again make an impact in the Dimension Data for Qhubeka Continental Team in the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope road race next month.
Main, then riding for RoadCover, was the winner by the narrowest of margins last year when he made up a 51-second deficit on the final stage to shade Myles van Musschenbroek by one second for the title.
Bestmed Tour of Good Hope 2016 champion Stefan de Bod will be a key member in the Dimension Data for Qhubeka Continental Team when South Africa’s premier stage road race takes place in and around Paarl in the Western Cape from March 5 to 9. Photo: Robert Ward
He will be looking to add to that success when South Africa’s premier stage road race, presented by Scicon and the City of Drakenstein, takes place in and around Paarl in the Western Cape from March 5 to 9.
Along with De Bod, Main forms part of a potent Dimension Data outfit which also includes South African Louis Visser and three overseas riders – Luca Mozzato and Matteo Sobrero from Italy and New Zealand’s Ollie Jones.
As a Continental outfit, team manager Kevin Campbell said they were based for eight months of the year in Italy, riding in Elite and U23 events, mostly in Europe.
“We are delighted at this rare opportunity to race in South Africa,” he said. “We want to show we are a strong team with a depth of talent.”
He added that the most important element for them would be to work together.
“Good individual riders will not be able to win this event without a strong team working well behind them.”
He said the overseas riders brought a different international racing experience with them.
“They have already shown that they are talented performers and I’m sure they will add a fresh element to the team.”
