He came home in a time of 2:09:02 to see off Genasys Technologies\u2019 Ryan Harris (2:09:02) and Cycling Box\u2019s Tyler Day (2:09:03) in the gallop to the finish line.<\/p>\n
Hoffman, who won the elimination and madison titles at the SA National Track Championships earlier in April, said the special occasion had given him extra motivation and he praised his team for their support in the fast-paced race.<\/p>
\u201cIt was definitely one of my goals for the year because I have often raced here but the win has always eluded me,\u201d said the BCX star, who grew up in Franschhoek but now lives in Ruimsig in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I have ended in almost every position except first, so this was the best birthday present for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
As he had expected, Hoffman said the race was really fast from the start and he knew it was unlikely that there would be any significant breaks out on the course.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was never a gap of more than 10 seconds \u2013 that\u2019s how aggressive and fast it was,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a team we had no real interest in trying to get up the road and our plan was to keep the group together and ride for the sprint finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was well executed by the boys. I\u2019m proud of what they achieved and it was great to pay them back with the win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even though the race went according to plan, Hoffman said one could never be sure of how it would unfold in the closing stages in a big bunch finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a late scare when Rohan du Plooy got about seven or eight seconds up the road, but we caught him with about a kilometre to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cReynard Butler then led the sprint out for me and I opened up with about 200m to go. From there it was just a case of head down and I think Ryan Harris was the only guy who really came close.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe drag up to the finish was quite hard and the riders were strung out a bit, but it\u2019s not every day you can get a clear run to the line. With a big group, though, you can never be quite sure how it will turn out,\u201d Hoffman said.<\/p>\n
Hoffman said the Emperors victory made up for the disappointment of the Cape Town Cycle Tour which was called off last month soon after the start because of high winds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really gutted after that because you sacrifice so much to prepare for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy form was good at that stage, but this win definitely makes up for missing out on that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The women\u2019s race also produced a first-time winner when Kim le Court (Demacon) outsprinted Samantha Sanders (Cycle Nation) for the top spot on the podium.<\/p>\n Both were credited with a time of 2:33:36, while Sanders\u2019 teammate Joanna van de Winkel took third in 2:35:35.<\/p>\n Le Court went into the race without expectations after feeling off-colour recently, but managed to hang on to the wheel of Sanders when she went on the attack early on.<\/p>\n \u201cSamantha went pretty hard at about the 30km mark and I was the only one who could get on her wheel,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n As they closed in on the finish, le Court, who was pushed to the front, said she felt nervous as Sanders looked stronger.<\/p>\n \u201cI was not feeling too confident but with about 400m to go I managed to get a gap on her and was able to hang on to that lead.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter missing out on the Cape Town Cycle Tour, I was very happy to be able to lift my arms for the team,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Andreas Trafoyer won the men\u2019s section in the 48km support race in 1:17:01.<\/p>\n Shibhana Sibanyoni (1:17:04) and Herman Meyer (1:17:10) were close behind in second and third respectively.<\/p>\n The women\u2019s event went to Elizabeth Burger, who crossed the line in 1:18:14, with Carin Janssen (1:19:23) and Lisa Venter (1:23:34) completing the podium.<\/p>\n Wessel Botha took a fine solo victory in the 50km mountain bike race, last Saturday.<\/p>\n He clocked a time of 1:32:28 and was followed home by Mthetheli Boya (1:34:20) and Luthanda Kaka (1:34:21).<\/p>\n Chloe Gardner won the women\u2019s race in 1:50:54, followed by Jana Jonker (1:52:58) and Sarah Hall (1:54:32).<\/p>\n The 25km men\u2019s race went to Aaron Heyneke in 55:13, with John Lang (55:15) second and Muhammed Theba (57:54) third.<\/p>\n Women\u2019s honours went to Hanje Nel in 1:04:44, followed by Nadine Stoltz (1:05:07) and Bianca Keyser (1:07:35).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Related articles:<\/p>\n Witness great cycling action at Emperors Classic Cycle race<\/a><\/p>\n Enter now for the Emperors Classic Cycle Tour<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or Puleng Sekabate\u00a0pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/strong>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2017\/04\/17GCNSPORTCYCLM_18799-520x390.jpg\")
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