Exels Hanco Kachelhoffer blew away the field to claim a comfortable win in the South African under 23 time trial at the Telkom Satellite station on Thursday afternoon.
Kachelhoffer pedalled away at the 30km course at a constant rhythm and came home in 41 minutes and 8 seconds, 32 seconds quicker than second placed John-Lee Augustyn (Konica-Minolta).
Augustyns ride was a solid one considering that he is only in his first year as under 23 contender. He claimed silver while Willie van Zyl took out the last medal.
The out and back course was extremely challenging on the way back with the riders having to conquer six rolling undulations on the way home.
It suited Kachelhoffer like a glove. I just kept on trying my best and keeping my body focussed on the job at hand, he said afterward, with his smiling team captain Rupert Rheeder standing close by.
Rheeder followed his teammate in the team car and was very vocal in his support of the former Bloemfontein schoolboy.
The former Under 23 champion, Daryl Impey, yesterday sent his congratulations to Kachelhoffer from France where he is riding for French club Le Pomme this year.
Impeys winning time last year was 40 minutes and 15 seconds, which goes some way to illustrate the time trial talent he posesses.
But what makes Kachelhoffers winning margin significant was that it not only showed that hes going to extremely hard to beat in the National Under 23 road race on Saturday, but that he is also on song for a strong ride in the upcoming Cape Argus Pick n Pay Giro del Capo. And he is still only 19 year of age.
The under 23 road race takes place around the Union Buildings on Saturday morning and the main protagonists there are sure to be the men who took out the two top spots in the time trial.
The course might favour Augustyn slightly because it is better suited to the climbers and he will fancy his chances.
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