After their new title sponsor was announced this week, Barry Crouch said Team Token intended to make a substantial impact at the Fast One cycle race in Meyerton, Gauteng, on Sunday.
When the team, formerly known as Formacon, was unveiled, manager Misha Loots described Crouch as a strong rider who would play a leadership role in many of the events.
The team, comprising Crouch, Armandt Jacobs, Ryan Horwitz, Dominique Janssen and Wessel Redelinghuys, will be looking to make a major statement in the 97km race this weekend.
After their new sponsors were announced this week, Barry Crouch said Team Token intended to make a substantial impact at the Fast One cycle race this weekend. Photo: Supplied
The mood in the team was buoyant after the sponsorship was announced, Crouch told In the Bunch today.
“Everyone in the team is quite excited to kick off the season and see what results we can achieve while still being committed to our day jobs.
“Everyone will obviously try to give more than 100 per cent to live up to Token’s name,” he said, adding that he felt optimistic for the team ahead of the race and the season.
Crouch, an architect by profession, said they would be banking on Jacobs during the final sprint at the Fast One.
“It’s probably regarded as one of the fastest road races in South Africa and it’s pretty flat. It usually ends up in a bunch sprint.
“I’m a climber, so the race doesn’t suit me at all. So we’ll be looking to set up our dedicated sprinter, Armandt, at the end.
“We’ll just have to look after him and keep him safe. We want to be at the point-end of things when it matters.”
The 26-year-old said in the rare eventuality of a break getting away they would have two dedicated riders at the head of affairs, while the rest would look after Jacobs.
He added that all the riders in the team had featured in the race before, but this would be their first time doing it together.
The route is not only fast, but wind can also be a major factor.
“Riders will have to make allowance for the wind; I know it does blow there,” Crouch said.
“It will be important to know the direction of the wind and where on the route we as a team can use that to our advantage. That will be vital.”
Despite holding down full-time jobs all the riders within the set-up are eager to contribute to the team’s cause, Crouch said.
“Everyone is raring to go and we all want to do something. We’ll try our best against the bigger teams.”
Crouch expects Vandergroup, which gained Continental status late last year, to take part, making last year’s winner and renowned sprinter Nolan Hoffman one of the race favourites.
