The pan-flat 28 kilometer course in Oudtshoorn took in just over 100 meters of elevation and with four 90-degree turns, Stefan knew the route would be challenging. His final time of 32:12 was close to two minutes ahead of his nearest rival and at an average speed of just over 52 kilometers per hour, Stefan was the sole rider to surpass the 50 kph mark.

“I won’t say the course didn’t suit me but there were definitely better courses for me. This was a course for a bigger, heavier rider because it was completely flat. We have great equipment, great time trial equipment, which makes us really fast and I’m really happy with the equipment. If you look at the average speed in the performance today, you can’t complain. I feel like I put in a really good time trial and I’m really happy with the speed as well,” Stefan said.

Four times before, the 26-year-old has stood on the podium at this race, but always as the runner up. To finally win the jersey shows that his consistency and hard work over the off season have paid off.

“It’s really special,” Stefan said after pulling on the champion’s jersey. “It’s always special to participate in the national championships with the local people in the areas that I know around here. I’ve been second a couple of times when I was younger. This is really special for my first victory. I’ve been the African champion before but not the South African champion so I’m really happy about it.”

This is Stefan’s first season with EF Education-EasyPost and to claim a win so early in the season is always an encouraging sign.

“I did the regional championships about a month ago just leading up to this just to see where the form is at and that went really well so I knew I was on track with coaching with the team and I’ve worked really well both with my sport director and my coach as well so everything is on track and I’m really happy I could win today. I’m going to the UAE Tour and then Europe so I'm really excited for it.”

Stefan’s next event is the road race on Sunday. Join us in cheering him on!