Fouche eyes Cycle challenge title

The sprinter bagged his maiden victory at the Cape Argus Cycle Tour in March, after coming out tops in a tight sprint finish against Tyler Day and fellow team-mate Christoff van Heerden.

Fouche, who won the Cycle Challenge in 2007, said he would dig deep to make sure his team emerged as winners.

“I’m going all out for a win on Sunday,” said Fouche.

“This has been a good season for me I won the Argus and now I really want to win this race and make it two big wins this year.

“If it comes down to it that I don’t win, I hope a Bonitas rider wins, so the team can still win both of these big races in one year.”

Fouche had enjoyed a good season which saw him power to victory at the Optimum Berge en Dale Classic in Krugersdorp earlier this year and was also third at the Amashova in Pietermaritzburg.

While there might be some pressure hanging over his head, Fouche said he would draw on his experience to achieve his goal.

“Cycling in this race is pressure, and you even start to feel it two weeks before the race.

“But after riding for so many years, you tend to get used to the pressure that comes with such a big race.

“All you have to do is just focus on what you are supposed to do. I’ve been training and following my programme to the tee, so I hope everything goes right on the day.”

With a strong field expected to line-up on Sunday, Fouche said he would keep an eye on the two riders he believed would challenge him.

“When it comes down to a sprint finish, I think Nolan Hoffman will be a big challenge for me.

“Tyler Day is also a powerful rider and will be a challenge. I will definitely watch out for those two riders.”

After the race, Fouche would shift his focus to the African Continental Championships. The South African road team would travel to Egypt for the showpiece which runs from November 29 to December 5.

In Sunday’s women’s race, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, who races internationally for the Lotto Belisol professional team, and for the Momentum Toyota team when in South Africa, headed in as favourite after enjoying a career-best season this year.

The 27-year old, who was ranked 21st in the latest International Cycling Union’s ratings, was crowned South African Road Race Champion as well as Time Trial Champion and finished first at the Boels Rental Hills Classic, a women’s cycling event in the Netherlands.

Fresh from victory at the OFM Classic in Bloemfontein, the 2011 winner faced a competitive field of cyclists which included defending champion Sharon Laws, former African and South African road champion Lynette Burger as well as Leandri du Toit.

– Sapa