![\"ccs-58780-0-35533900-1485941562.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-58780-0-35533900-1485941562.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Swiss star Christoph Sauser will be among a strong international field in the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope that takes place in the Cape Winelands from March 6 to 10. Photo: Warren Elsom<\/span><\/p>\nThe triple world marathon and five-time Cape Epic champion will compete in the country\u2019s premier road tour for Investec-Songo-Specialized and is eager to reap the benefits of the 490km journey through the Cape Winelands.<\/p>\n
There is, he said, much to appreciate about the Tour of Good Hope, which is presented by Scicon and the City of Drakenstein and sanctioned by Cycling South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love to race in the beautiful Western Cape and there is the speed effect when you ride with a bunch on fast wheels,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, it is so well organised and I\u2019m already looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sauser said the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope played an essential part in his preparations as it helped him to work on his speed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing beats riding in a bunch at 40km\/h at a high cadence. It is very good to have this stimulation which you would never get in training.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 40-year-old said that although they essentially a team of mountain bikers, they had riders who could climb and sprint as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not quite sure about the tactics, but we will have a lot of fire power.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will play it day by day, but it would be nice to win a stage or two again as we did last year with Sam Gaze.\u201d<\/p>\n
The latter won last year\u2019s queen stage \u2013 mountain-top finish on Du Toitskloof Pass \u2013 before going on to win the U23 world cross country title in the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n
Sauser said his personal goal was to do well on the same stage this year.<\/p>\n
He will be supported by Gaze, Simon Andreassen, Konny Looser, Matt Beers, Craig Boyes and Paolo Montoya.<\/p>\n
The 2000 Olympic cross-country bronze medallist, who is based in the small mountain town of Yvorne in Switzerland, announced his retirement from the sport last year.<\/p>\n
However, he could not resist making a comeback when a request came from 2012 Olympic cross country champion Jaroslav Kulhavy to join him for this year\u2019s Cape Epic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed some time to think, but the fire for the Cape Epic started to burn again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge, the goal to win a sixth title and also the chance to raise awareness and inspire the kids of my charity \u2013 songo.info \u2013 brought me back again.\u201d<\/p>\n
His charity strive to improve the lives of children living in South African townships by providing them with a safe place to play, grow and develop.<\/p>\n
Having won the Epic alongside Kulhavy in 2013 and 2015, Sauser said they would love to make it a third title. He however warned that many teams would be in contention, including that of his German rival Karl Platt, who is also gunning for a record sixth win.<\/p>\n
Sauser, who has been training in South Africa for the past few weeks, showed his power by winning the Attakwas Extreme MTB Challenge and National MTB Series opener in successive weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the Tankwa Trek in February I\u2019m going back to Switzerland for two weeks and will return in March for the Tour of Good Hope and a number of other races.\u201d<\/p>\n