Brandon Downes says he is happy with his achievement at the Tour of Good Hope, where he finished second overall.
Downes, 28, said while one of his team’s goals was to try to get the win, they could not be disappointed with the result.
Jaco Venter was the overall winner when the event finished yesterday.
“Considering the field we were up against, I think that placing second overall in the tour is a really great achievement,” Downes told In the Bunch.
“The Tour of Good Hope is one of the more prestigious tours in the country, so to come second is really great.”
The TEG Procycling rider said the team’s plan was to focus on the time-trial in stage two and to place well there.
“We knew all along that the time-trial was going to be a big factor, so we placed a little bit of emphasis on that.
“I had a fairly good idea that if you did really well in the time-trial it could then determine how the general classification would play out, which is actually how it turned out in the end.
“Fortunately I had a good day and the time-trial went really well.”
He says he and his team were really proud of their performance and that each stage played a key role in their achievement.
“Stage one set us up well going into the next four stages of the tour. The second stage was where I was really looking to do well.
“Stage three was slightly longer and it was important to keep our numbers up front.
“Stage four was the toughest stage of the tour. The guys really had to dig deep towards the end.”
According to Downes, though the fifth and final stage is much shorter, it does not mean the route is easier.
“It’s become an iconic stage in the Tour of Good Hope. The last race up Taal Monument is often a decider in the overall GC.
“It’s the last shot to try and make a climb on any of your opponents. It’s a tough stage but also very well suited to me as I am more of a climber.”
Downes said he was very happy with how the event was organised this year and that it could be a good indicator of one’s progress leading up to tomorrow’s Cape Town Cycle Tour.
“It’s also a really important tour to have on our calendar. I’m sure I’ll be back to race it again next year.”
