Resourcefulness pays off for Team Bonitas at Zoo Lake

[Matt]

RESOURCEFULNESS PAYS OFF FOR TEAM BONITAS AT ZOO LAKE

Press release, 19 September 2011

 

With star sprinter Tyler Day out with a broken collarbone, Team Bonitas went into Sunday’s MTN Zoo Lake Criterium road cycling circuit race with limited firepower for the short, explosive event. But what they lacked in firepower they made up for in resourcefulness, as they won a hotspot sprint, achieved third place overall in the two-hour race and won the much-hyped Sprint Lap through the northern suburban streets of Johannesburg.

 

With out Day, the current Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour champion in their starting squad, Team Bonitas was intent to make the racing as hard as possible in the two-hour main event to try and break up the peloton as much as possible and minimise the threat of the other team’s sprinters for the finish; but it was not to be.

 

Johann Rabie, a useful sprinter from a small group, was struck from the race completely by a puncture after 50 minutes, followed 20 minutes later by teammate, Waylon Woolcock, who also punctured, significantly reducing Team Bonitas’ strength.

 

“It was a very well organised event, but a lap of grace – as is the case with all criterium races – for a mechanical should have been permitted. By having two riders less, our team was immediately at a disadvantage, “ said Woolcock.

 

Waylon Woolcock, a recognised climber, surprised his rivals to win the Sprint Lap at the MTN Zoo Lake Criterium on Sunday. Photo: Greg Beadle

 

Despite the setbacks, Hanco Kachelhoffer took it upon himself to try and challenge for a podium place for Team Bonitas. And he succeeded, securing third behind winner, Arran Brown (MTN Qhubeka) and runner-up, Nolan Hoffman (Tasol GT), two of South Africa’s fastest sprinters.

 

“We were riding for Rabie and we he was eliminated through bad luck, we then had to make another plan. It’s difficult to outsprint a pure sprinter but I put in my best effort and managed to secure at least a podium place for the team. It was a good result in the end,” smiled Kachelhoffer.

 

Giving the team even more reason to leave Zoo Lake with a smile was Woolcock’s surprise victory in the final event, the Sprint Lap.

 

With a rolling start from a warm-up lap, the Sprint Lap around the 3.45km circuit is tailor made for the sprinters. But with no sprinter, Team Bonitas used the old battle tactic, “the best defence is offence” to good effect.

 

“Our plan was to get a break going in the last thousand metres or so to mess with the plans of the sprinters’ teams. Rabie and I hadn’t finished the main race due to punctures so were the freshest and were going to be the key riders in this strategy.

 

“Neil MacDonald put in a huge attack about a kilometre out from the finish. When the other teams caught him, he did an extra pull to keep it all strung out. The plan was for me to attack next and then Rabie to go for the finish,” explained Woolcock.

 

But Woolcock’s attack came at a moment when the sprinters’ teams hesitated, trying to organise leadouts for their speedsters after having to chase down MacDonald’s disruptive move. It was enough of a rhythm interruption to give Woolcock the time and space he needed to keep going and secure the win.

 

“When I went on the attack, I looked back and saw nobody marking me. I had the legs and decided to just go for it to the line. I still had enough time to sit up and enjoy the win.

 

“We went into the event given little chance of success, but we achieved a lot. And in the end I think we won the most prizemoney too,” smiled Woolcock.