Introduction of criterium is great for riders – HB Kruger

“It was a good idea for the organisers to add the criterium this year, we need more criterium racing for the elite riders in the country,” Kruger said at the race launch in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

“We can see in a lot of European races those guys go out on a big loop and they come and finish on a short type of circuit. We’re not really used to the short circuit so introducing it to the race this year will benefit a lot of riders.”

A criterium is a bike race held on a short course, usually less than a mile, often run on closed-off city centre streets.

The Amashova race recently became a part of the UCI world cycling tour and is expected to attract top-seeded national and international riders, giving the race international status.

Kruger, who has enjoyed a great season winning the sprint at the Mzansi Tour Criterium and collecting a bronze medal at the Cape Argus earlier this year, said he would be going all out for gold at the Amashova race.

“This is one of the important races on our calendar for our team.

“We have consistently finished on the podium over the years and we would like to go for gold this time around and maybe even dominate the podium.

“A couple of years ago I finished third behind my teammate Johan Rabie, and the team is motivated to do better this year.”

Race organisers also announced South Africa’s hotels, gaming and entertainment company Tsogo Sun as their sponsor for this year’s event.

The 106km race starts in Pietermaritzburg and finishes in Durban on October 12.

– Sapa