Gustav Basson is confident he can defend his Tour Durban title when he lines up for the 100km race at the Moses Mabhida Stadium People’s Park on Sunday.
“We’re all standing at the start line to try and win the race and everyone wants the title.
“I think every race is different, so we’ll have to see how it pans out. Then decisions will be made during the race which will hopefully result in a win.”
Gustav Basson, pictured winning stage two of the Tour of Good Hope last month, is confident he can defend his Tour Durban title on Sunday. Photo: Henk Neuhoff Photography
The 23-year-old, who placed 10th in stages one and five of last month’s Tour de Taiwan, felt that last year’s race went well and that there was no real pressure going into this weekend.
“I’ve already won the race [once], so we’ll see how it pans out.”
He had no predetermined strategy, saying he would decide on the day based on “what’s happening and how the race is unfolding”.
The 100km route takes riders from the stadium towards the Bluff along the M4, then via the M7 to Pinetown and up the M4 highway to Umdloti.
Cyclists then head back down the final straight to finish outside People’s Park.
“It’s a pretty straight forward route,” said Basson.
“There’s just one main climb on which the field normally comes together.
“Then things can get tough with the wind and potential gutters along the coast,” said Basson, who won the road race, hill climb and criterium at the Mpumalanga Road Champs this year.
The TEG Procycling rider felt it was a big classic and it was nice to already have last year’s win on his results sheet.
“It’s a big race and one that any team would like to win again,” said Basson, who placed third in the Herald Cycle Tour in Port Elizabeth earlier this year.
