![\"ccs-62657-0-13429100-1471782258.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-13429100-1471782258.jpg\")
<\/a>Nolan Hoffman of Team Telkom is interviewed after winning the 103km Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Road Classic at Sun City on Sunday. Photo: Full Stop Communications.<\/span><\/p>\nThe 31-year-old professional from the West Rand in Johannesburg timed his finishing burst perfectly with about 80m to go to edge out Team Luso\u2019s Calvin Beneke and RoadCover\u2019s Bradley Potgieter in 2:18:13.<\/p>\n
In what the former Franschhoek resident described as a dream scenario, a small breakaway formed in the early stages of the 103km feature race in which all the pro teams were represented.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe racing in the first 10km was pretty aggressive and the breakaway group formed about five kilometres later,\u201d said Hoffman.<\/p>\n
\u201cHB Kruger and I were there for Telkom and as I was the fastest out of the group it made sense for us to drive it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithin about 10km the gap went out to three minutes and then to seven. Once we got that lead the guys in the big group behind sort of gave up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoffman said he knew he had to time his sprint perfectly coming into the finish.<\/p>\n \u201cHB was pulling for me and I knew I had to wait to take the sprint as late as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Bradley got a bit nervous and he jumped first with about 250 metres to go. It was into a headwind and if you have been in a breakaway the whole race you will blow up if don\u2019t time it correctly.<\/p>\n \u201cI got on to his wheel and with about 80 metres to go I jumped past him to take the win.\u201d<\/p>\n The former Cape Town Cycle Tour champion said he was \u201creally happy\u201d with the outcome, not having had much success in the Sun City race in recent years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one of my favourite races and to get a win here is fantastic.<\/p>\n \u201cIt puts the confidence up and I\u2019m so happy for the team. The boys rode perfectly and it\u2019s always nice to reward them with a win.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoffman said with the Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Road Classic falling at the back-end of winter and therefore affecting training, it was often a nervous race. He also got married this year which, he said, meant he spent some time off the bike.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pleasantly surprised with my fitness and this race was one of my goals for the year. It suits the sprinters outright and you have to take advantage when you get these sorts of conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cI have worked quite hard during the winter and signs are there that the work is paying off.\u201d<\/p>\n Charlene du Preez of Team Clover Prestigio sprinted to victory in the women\u2019s race.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old from Pretoria East crossed the line in 2:46:24 to finish ahead of Time Freight\u2019s Kim le Court, who won the 50km MTB Classic on Saturday, and Pretoria Box\u2019s Michelle Benson.<\/p>\n \u201cI was very happy with the win,\u201d said Du Preez. \u201cThe race was quite flat so that made it difficult for anyone to get away.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were a few attacks but with the bunch being bigger than normal it was easier to close down the gaps.<\/p>\n Du Preez said there were several accelerations in the last two kilometres and it was matter of keeping in touch and trying to save the legs for the final sprint.<\/p>\n \u201cThat worked out well for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex Pavlov of NorthCliff Cycles, who will be competing in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth, Australia, in early September, won the men\u2019s section of Saturday\u2019s 50km MTB Classic.<\/p>\n<\/a>Team Telkom\u2019s Nolan Hoffman (right) and Bradley Potgieter were in the leading trio in the Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Classic Road Classic at Sun City today. In an exciting sprint finish Hoffman took the top spot and Potgieter finished third, while Calvin Beneke was second. Photo: The Citizen.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Charlene du Preez (left) of Team Clover Prestigio powers her way to first place in the 103km Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Road Classic at Sun City on Sunday. Photo: The Citizen.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>The top three men in the 103km Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Road Classic at Sun City on Sunday were, from left, Bradley Potgieter (third), Nolan Hoffman (first) and Calvin Beneke (second). Photo: Full Stop Communications<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>Team Clover Prestigio\u2019s Charlene du Preez won the 103km Bestmed Cycle4Cansa Road Classic at Sun City on Sunday. Photo: Full Stop Communications.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n