![\"ccs-62657-0-96521100-1492955080.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-96521100-1492955080.jpg\")
<\/a>Nolan Hoffman, of BCX, celebrated his 32nd birthday in style by winning the 98km feature race at the Emperors Palace Classic in Johannesburg today. Photo: Yolanda van der Stoep<\/span>\n<\/div>\nThe BCX sprinter, who turned 32 today, said he had received the perfect present after several years of trying to nail down the title in the 98km feature race.<\/p>\n
He came home in a time of 2:09:02 to see off Genasys Technologies\u2019 Ryan Harris (2:09:02) and Cycling Box\u2019s Tyler Day (2:09:03) in the gallop to the line.<\/p>\n
Hoffman, who won the elimination and madison titles at the SA National Track Championships earlier this month, said the special occasion had give him extra motivation and he praised his team for their support in the fast-paced race.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was definitely one of my goals for the year because I have often raced here but the win has always eluded me,\u201d said the BCX star, who grew up in Franschhoek but now lives in Ruimsig in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I have ended in almost every position except first, so this was the best birthday present for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
As he had expected, Hoffman said the race was really fast from the start and he knew it was unlikely that there would be any significant breaks out on the course.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was never a gap of more than 10 seconds \u2013 that\u2019s how aggressive and fast it was,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a team we had no real interest in trying to get up the road and our plan was to keep the group together and ride for the sprint finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was well executed by the boys. I\u2019m proud of what they achieved and it was great to pay them back with the win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even though the race went according to plan, Hoffman said one could never be sure of how it would unfold in the closing stages in a big bunch finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a late scare when Rohan du Plooy got about seven or eight seconds up the road, but we caught him with about a kilometre to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cReynard Butler then led the sprint out for me and I opened up with about 200m to go. From there it was just a case of head down and I think Ryan Harris was the only guy who really came close.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe drag up to the finish was quite hard and the riders were strung out a bit, but it\u2019s not every day you can get a clear run to the line. With a big group, though, you can never be quite sure how it will turn out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoffman said the Emperors victory made up for the disappointment of the Cape Town Cycle Tour which was called off last month soon after the start because of high winds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really gutted after that because you sacrifice so much to prepare for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy form was good at that stage, but this win definitely makes up for missing out on that.\u201d<\/p>\n