Clint Hendricks is hoping to launch the second half of the season on a high note when he participates in the four-day five-stage Lowveld Tour in Limpopo, which starts tomorrow.
Riding for BCX alongside teammates Chris Jooste, David Maree, Steven van Heerden, Nolan Hoffman, Marc Pritzen and Brandon Downes, Hendricks said he hoped to come away “with a few wins”, but admitted he was not the designated leader in the team.
“Getting a few wins will be great to boost the morale a bit and to get my confidence up again,” Hendricks told In the Bunch today.
“The team will try hard for stage wins and obviously the general classification. We want to start on a good note and maybe try for the sprinter’s and mountains jerseys as well.
“We’ll take anything that comes our way. Steven, David and Chris will be the guys that we will try to look after in terms of the GC.”
Clint Hendricks (pictured) is hoping to launch the second half of the season on a high note when he participates in the four-day five-stage Lowveld Tour. Photo: Anthony Grote Photography
However that was not set in stone, Hendricks explained. “You never know what can happen on the day or stage. Someone may get a puncture or have a crucial soft moment.
“The team has to adjust the whole time, so it’s always good to have options.”
Hendricks, who earned a bronze medal for South Africa in the Commonwealth Games road race in April, competed last year in the tour for RoadCover where his teammates – Brendon Davids and Willie Smit – finished second and first overall respectively.
He said he knew what to expect heading into the multi-stage race.
“I know the routes and climbs pretty well and the difference from last year is that the time-trial will take place with a road-race on day three and the criterium on the fourth day.
“The first and last road races are more suited to the sprinters. Those will probably be the targets for Nolan and me.”
Now currently in the changeover of the season, Hendricks admitted he was not where he should be fitness-wise.
“I’m feeling okay but I’m still in the build-up phase,” he said. “My goals are really more geared towards the end of the year.
“I’m not at my peak. If I can take some wins then sure, I’ll take it. But I’m trying to go for the big wins at the end of the year, such as the 947 Cycle Challenge [on November 19].”
