Having only joined Vander Group a month ago, stalwart Bradley Potgieter hopes to make his mark for the team at the inaugural 100 Cycle Challenge in Germiston on Sunday.
Potgieter, 28, who this year represented South Africa at the Sharjah Tour and Commonwealth Games, will be riding for Vander Group for the second time, having debuted for them at the Tour Durban last Sunday.
“Tour Durban was our first race together. So going into the 100 Cycle Challenge we know each other a bit better,” Potgieter told In the Bunch today.
“Hopefully we can have a good team plan. We get along very well, so I am hoping that can show in the race.
“The goal for the team is obviously to win the race, but we would be happy with a podium.”
Bradley Potgieter, pictured here in Vander Group attire at the Tour Durban, hopes to make his mark for the team at the inaugural 100 Cycle Challenge. Photo: Jetline Action Photo
Vander Group, which was founded in September 2016 in order to develop young cyclists, has a “really good” atmosphere, Potgieter added.
“It is really positive,” he said. “I like the attitude the youngsters [in the team] are showing. They are happy to learn and to hear our inputs. They have a very positive outlook.
“They are eager to race and it will take some time before they can begin winning every weekend, but that is the ultimate goal. None of them are disheartened and they are willing to work.”
The team also competed in the four-day Tour de Limpopo last week, which Potgieter was kept away from by work commitments. And he thinks the other riders felt the effects of that race at the Tour Durban.
“Being a younger team, I think they were a bit fatigued at Tour Durban,” he said. “I feel like it would be a bit unfair to judge them on their performance [at Tour Durban].
“I think we will get a better reflection of how everyone’s form is at the 100 Cycle Challenge.
“But Andries [Nigrini] already showed great potential [at the Tour Durban]. He was in the front group with me,” he said, after Nigrini finished 17th and Potgieter 10th.
Not having much knowledge of the inaugural route, Potgieter predicted a fast race.
“I have only had a brief look [at the route] and it looks rolling and fast,” he said. “The odds are good it will end up in a sprint finish.
“But you never know. There could be a chance of a breakaway group, so it will be important for me to stay patient and wait for the right moves.
“I am more confident about sprint now than I was last week because I have worked on it this week. I feel more confident with my speed.
“I enjoy riding aggressively if there is a breakaway. I am quite excited for the race.”
