Road specialist Bradley Potgieter will captain his Vandergroup team and guide them through the four-stage Lowveld Tour that starts in Limpopo on Thursday.
Potgieter, who finished seventh in last year’s road race that also included an individual time-trial and criterium, felt this year would be different.
At the previous event he supported RoadCover teammates Brendon Davids and Willie Smit who finished second and first respectively.
Road specialist Bradley Potgieter will guide his Vandergroup team throughout the four-stage Lowveld Tour that takes place in Limpopo from Thursday to Sunday. Photo: Sean Badenhorst
“We’re not the favourites to win the tour overall, but I believe we can use this to our advantage to perhaps ride off the other teams a bit and wait for an opportunity to make a move for a stage win.
“Also [we can] possibly put some pressure on the overall tour contenders.”
The 29-year-old, who recently won the 60km Sondela MTB Classic in Bela-Bela, said he aimed to guide his teammates throughout.
He joined the team earlier this year and took on a mentoring and management role. “I’ll jam down some experience and insight into how the race is playing out.”
Potgieter added that he enjoyed the event as it was not a normal one-day weekend classic.
“There are a lot more challenges such as big climbs, a time-trial and criterium. Recovery is also key in preparing for the following stage.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to the time-trial as we don’t get many opportunities to race this discipline in South Africa.”
He felt BCX would be their biggest threat as they were coming to the event as the favourites. “They have a few cards to play for stages and general classification.”
Lowveld Tour stages
Thursday, August 9 (stage one)
Swadini – Hoedspruit – Swadini
136km
Friday, August 10 (stage two)
JG Strijdom Tunnel – Graskop and Return
126km
Saturday, August 11 (stage three)
Road race
Swadini – Orpen – Swadini
85km
Individual time-trial
20km
Sunday, August 12 (stage four)
Criterium
45 minutes + one lap
Laps: 1.96 km
