![\"ccs-62657-0-40114400-1447770754.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-40114400-1447770754.jpg\")
<\/a>(From left) Orica-GreenEDGE’s Daryl Impey, who came in at a well-fought third place, chats with MTN-Qhubeka Feeder Team’s Stefan de Bod (first) and Clint Hendriks (second) to MC Paul Valstar after the 2015 Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge Elite Men’s race in Gauteng on Sunday 15 November. Photo: Supplied<\/span><\/p>\nListed as the biggest moment of his cycling career, De Bod said that it was a good race and the first race that he has been in that was planned from the beginning to the very end. \u201cWe had a clear strategy. The plan was for me to go with 3km to go, which worked perfectly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking about his uncertainty for the 2016 season since the Feeder Team will be without a sponsor, De Bod said: \u201cThis is the last race in the Feeder Team for now \u2013 no one has contracts for a bigger team next year. It was a bit emotional to leave the team house in Potchefstroom because we all grew close as a family there. Last year I was still a junior and I\u2019ve learned a lot this year and can only say thank you to JP van Zyl, because he taught me so much. If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have won today because he told me exactly where to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Second placed Hendricks was pleased with how the race unfolded according to plan. \u201cThe bunch stayed together until Steyn City and then our team turned up the heat. In the last 6km, Jacques Janse Van Rensburg (Team MTN-Qhubeka) put the pressure on. We prepared well for this race in the last month or so – this race was a big goal for the team. We looked at the course and the last 6km, in every single bit of detail, and decided on where we were going to attack and Stefan planned it to perfection. For me it was to follow the counter. Luckily I had the legs to do that and it was fantastic that we took the victory!\u201d<\/p>\n
Impey, who is back on home soil, has recently started his training programme and was happy with his third place. \u201cI\u2019ve only started training now and surprised that I was okay in the end. These two guys and their team did a good ride.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe local standard of racing is improving; especially when the young guys get more opportunities, that\u2019s going to raise the level and the standards of racing. Next year, I hope that the sponsors do come to the party because it would be a shame if the younger guys don\u2019t get the opportunity to have that bridge to Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n