![\"ccs-62657-0-03595800-1488916101.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-03595800-1488916101.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Dimension Data rider Stefan de Bod surged to victory in the Buffet Olives individual time-trial at the Boland Agricultural High School just outside Paarl today to claim the yellow jersey on the second stage of the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope. Photo: Robert Ward<\/span><\/p>\nThe 20-year-old Dimension Data rider, who grew up in nearby Worcester, showed his superior speedwork to win the Buffet Olives individual time-trial in 33:15 to erase an overnight deficit of 54 seconds.<\/p>\n
Slotting into second and third respectively were RoadCover\u2019s Willie Smit (33:59) and Dimension Data\u2019s Nicholas Dlamini (34:43).<\/p>\n
De Bod, who provisionally heads the general classification on 2:55:08, will take a narrow overall lead into the third stage of the five-day, 490km race, which is presented by the City of Drakenstein and Scicon.<\/p>\n
Smit sits in second on 2:55:52 and Pro Touch\u2019s Myles van Musschenbroek in third on 2:56:06 with tomorrow\u2019s queen stage, which finishes on top of Du Toitskloof Pass, looming.<\/p>\n
Before the race, De Bod had identified the time-trial as a key part of his strategy and he was satisfied with the outcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt comfortable during the ride, but I would have liked to have gone a little bit faster,\u201d said the defending champion.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that is part of the game and I\u2019m still happy with my result.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the course reduced from 37km to 26km this year, De Bod said he knew he could go \u201cfull gas\u201d from the start.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe route is a bit hilly but it\u2019s fast, with long descents and nice rollers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a bit shorter does make a difference because I normally start my first 10 minutes quite controlled before increasing to maximum effort. But the distance allowed me to go from the start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being a specialist in the discipline, De Bod said the time-trial played an important role in his tour strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always want to try to make as much time as possible on the GC contenders,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a bit of a wind on the road towards Paarl and then coming back there was a crosswind, which was a bit tricky with a disc wheel.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, coming to the finish the wind helped me and I was happy with my power.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite her relative inexperience as a time-triallist, Dormakaba\u2019s Candice Lill took the honours in the women\u2019s race in 39:50 to move into the overall lead.<\/p>\n