Durban – Just days after hitting global headlines for winning a silver medal at the world track championships Nolan Hoffman has confirmed his entry for the aQuellé Tour Durban presented by Spur to try and defend the title that he won in last year’s dramatic endsprint.
Hoffman was the toast of the cycling community last week when he won the silver medal in the 15km scratch race at the world champs in Melbourne, Australia, closing in fast on eventual winner Ben Swift.
Speaking from his family home in Franschhoek Hoffman confirmed that he would join his Tasol GT teammates in Durban to start plotting the defence of his title at a two week team training camp.
Nolan Hoffman comes into the defence of his aQuellé Tour Durban presented by Spur road race title after winning a silver medal at the track world champs in Australia.
Photo: Cyclenation/Gameplan Media
“I am still in shock,” said Nolan. “I still lie in bed at night and think about the race and being on the podium,” he added reflecting on the highlight of his career.
However he is passionate about defending his title in the aQuellé Tour Durban presented by Spur because it is a race that is unusually close close to his heart.
“From the start it was always a race I wanted to do, and from my first ride in 2003 I fell in love with it. I have never finished outside of the top five, and I am stoked, super-excited to get back to race it again this year,” said Nolan.
“I have always enjoyed racing the coastal races, and it’s there where I seem to get so much support that it feels like hometown advantage for me,” he said.
He added that the 106km race was a technical team challenge where the sprinters find themselves under pressure.
“Every race for me is a team race,” said Nolan. “I have a brilliant bunch of guys in the Tasol GT team who look after me and try to get me to the finish in the best place to do what I have to do. It’s a very technical finish with two sharp corners and speedbumps so your team is vital.”
“It is such a great race but it is a survival game for the sprinters. The other teams are always trying to get rid of you on the climbs but luckily the climbs are short and normally followed by long downhills,” he said.
“My target is always the hill behind Sibaya Casino,” added the 27 year old star. “Once I get there I know it is basically downhill for the last 15km.”
Hoffman’s Tasol GT team has a solid track record at the event, with team captain Dean Edwards having won the event the year previously. Hoffmann was runner up in 2004 and 2006.
The aQuellé Tour Durban presented by Spur takes place on 27 and 29 April 2012. Normal entries close on 22 April at 22h00, after which entries will be taken at a late entry penalty. More information can be found at www.tourdurban.co.za
