HOFFMAN CLAIMS MAIDEN WIN FOR TEAM ABANTU Nolan Hoffmann picked up where he left off over one month ago winning three from four stages as well as the overall title at the 2013 edition of the PPC Kremetart Cycle Classic in Loius Trichardt over the weekend. A non-familiar race format saw top teams and riders from around South Africa race 175km over four stages in one day with +- 1hr30 in between each stage. The format is similar to that of a multi stage race event however it all takes place in one day allowing for short fast intense racing with stages no longer than 53km. Stage 1 of 53km saw the riders endure a 8km slog up to the top of the Soutpansberg pass before plummeting down the other side and through the Hendrik Verwoed Tunnels before heading out to the stage finish at Waterpoort. Nolan Hoffmann (Abantu), Willie Smit (Bonitas) and Rohan du Ploy (ASG U23) broke clear at 35km and stayed away till the finish with Hoffmann getting the better of his breakaway counterparts in a close fought sprint with Smit 2nd and du Plooy 3rd. The three had a 48sec lead over the chasing peloton going into stage 2 (48km) which was to be a fiercely fought battle. With Hoffmann being such a predominant sprinter, it was up to Team Bonitas to race as aggressive as possible to try and split up the Abantu contingent to isolate & expose Hoffmann. With Abantu controlling the first three quarters of the stage, Team Bonitas put the race into the gutter and decimated the peloton. Hoffmann did get isolated but his patience and experience saw him not only finish with his nearest rivals and retain his lead but take out the stage win again ahead of Smit in the small town of Vivo Stage 3 over 52km was to be a very fast stage leading into the final 1km drag up to the gates of the Schoemansdal School. Again, Team Bonitas went on the attack from the gun but Team Abantu was intent on protecting Hoffmann and delivering him to the base of the final drag up to the finish. It was a clinical performance from the younger Abantu riders as they controlled the race and kept the peloton together up till 2km to go. Coming into the sprint finish it was an exceptional sprint from du Plooy (ASG) who out powered Hoffmann and Smit to the line. With the win on stage 3 the yellow jersey then moved to the shoulders of du Plooy but Team Abantu was still adamant that Hoffmann could get over the challenging climb in the final 10km’s of stage 4’s 22km dash to the finish. They took control from kilometre one using their younger contingent of riders to do the bulk of the work. At the bottom of the climb it was the experience of Perry who took over and the strength of van Musschenbroek who kept Hoffmann in the front, but when the flurry of attacks came towards the top of the mountain it was the man himself who answered all questions asked and summited the climb along with Smit and Nico Bell (Westvaal). With Smit sitting on and not contributing to the pace-making, Hoffmann and Bell continued to drive to the line in the final 7km. Coming into the finish it was “the Hoff” who went on to reward his teammates for the endless amounts of work done all day by winning the sprint for the line to win the 4th stage as well as the overall title ahead of Smit and Bell. “With the format of this race it’s really hard so you have to be alert and very good in every stage. The work from the team today was incredible and they made sure I was in the right place at the right time. My form is getting back to its best and I’m really happy to have won today especially being our first race all together as Team Abantu. It shows that even without a title sponsor we are still committed and we will keep fighting. I also would like to just take this chance to thank our supporters who have purchased our team kit and an appeal for those that haven’t to please do so as we want to keep winning for all of you, the people.” Said Hoffmann.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:33:09 +0000
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