![\"ccs-62657-0-74380000-1425310211.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-74380000-1425310211.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nBonitas\u2019s Herman Fouche (second from right) hits the finish line ahead of Drapac\u2019s Brenton Jones (far left) and Abantu\u2019s Nolan Hoffman (right) to claim the first stage of the 2015 Bestmed Tour de Boland in Worcester on Monday. \/\/ Photo: Capcha Photography.<\/span><\/p>\n Drapac\u2019s Brenton Jones grabbed the runner-up spot with Team Abantu\u2019s Nolan Hoffman \u2013 who will aim to defend his Cape Town Cycle Tour title on Sunday \u2013 third.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we came into the corners I started calling my teammates and they did exactly what I wanted them to do and we pulled off a fantastic win,\u201d said Fouch\u00e9, who also won the opening stage of the 2011 tour.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was unbelievable, a great fight by the team.\u201d<\/p>\n The racing got off to a muted start as a strong headwind and searing heat dampened any early efforts by the bunch as they headed out of Paarl after the neutral zone through town.<\/p>\n Europcar SA\u2019s Bradley Potgieter made a daring solo escape within the first 10km and his efforts paid off as he held the bunch at bay to claim the first Compendium sprint prime outside Franschhoek.<\/p>\n Just before the 30km mark, a four-rider breakaway caught Potgieter but they were reeled in as the peloton powered their way up Franschhoek Pass.<\/p>\n Strong gutter winds helped splinter the bunch on the 7km climb, with former African road champion Tesfom Okubamariam coming to the fore to<\/p>\n win the Aramex king of the mountains title for the MTN-Qhubeka feeder team.<\/p>\n The bunch came back together after the pass, with Abantu\u2019s Nolan Hoffman taking the second hotspot just outside Villiersdorp.<\/p>\n A series of attacks followed over the final 25km but were quickly nullified as the riders headed towards the finish.<\/p>\n \u201cWe couldn\u2019t really go anywhere because of the wind but the guys kept trying,\u201d said Fouch\u00e9.<\/p>\n As they turned into their destination, the fastman\u2019s teammates sprang into action with team captain Luthando Kaka giving him and Shaun -Nick Bester the lead-out into the first corner.<\/p>\n \u201cShaun -Nick went a bit too early but he went and caught the two guys in front.<\/p>\n \u201cI waited for Drapac to come past and jumped onto their train, while Shaun-Nick bumped into their train in front of me, setting me up perfectly.\u201d<\/p>\n The former Cape Town Cycle Tour champion demonstrated his well-known turn of speed to snatch the win from the visitors from Down Under.<\/p>\n The West Rand-based sprinter said however that the overall outcome of the tour would be decided on the climbing and time-trial stages.<\/p>\n \u201cSo don\u2019t be surprised if you see the yellow jersey pacing for the climbers tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race, Lise Olivier of Time Freight E pipped RECM\u2019s defending champion Ariane Kleinhans to the post, with Anriette Schoeman of Africa Silks-Bestmed rounding out the day\u2019s podium.<\/p>\n