Cape Town - Nine-time Comrades champion Bruce Fordyce has confirmed defending champion Caroline Wöstmann as the women’s favourite, but admits that picking a men’s winner is a lot tougher in what promises to be a far tougher race this weekend.
“Caroline has broken every rule in running, and proved me wrong,” Fordyce admits on The Dan Nicholl Show, airing on Wednesday on SuperSport 1 at 19:00.
“She’s definitely favourite, although defending Comrades, with all of the pressure, is very tough.”
“The men’s race will be a fascinating one. Ludwick Mamabolo, who won a couple of years ago, is apparently very fit. Gift Kelehe who won last year - John Hamlett, his coach, says he’s very fit. The Russians of course are all banned, so there’s not a single Russian there.”
But it’s not just the big names that Fordyce, who’ll be on commentary duty for the race, will be looking out for.
“To watch Comrades on Sunday will be a lovely treat. (It’s a) wonderful viewing of the human spirit, and it is amazing to see 20 000 people covering 90 kilometres of some of the most brutal hills you’ve seen in your life, and achieving that goal.”
Fordyce all talks on the show about winning the first of eight races in succession while wearing an anti-apartheid protest armband, and arriving at the finish line covered in eggs and tomatoes thrown at him along the route.
Also on Wednesday's show are South African cricketer Vernon Philander, who’s recovering from an ankle injury, and is focused on a return to the South African team, and comedian John Vlismas, who recalls writing material for Jerry Springer, sharing a stage in Montreal with comedian Drew Carey, and his extremely unsuccessful career as an artist.
With the Olympic Games not far off, Dan and comedian Chris Forrest take on javelin thrower Sunette Viljoen in a CrossFit challenge that almost finishes both of them off, and Olympic fencer Juliana Barrett also makes a cameo appearance on the show.
Watch a Sport24 exclusive clip of Bruce Fordyce on the show HERE
Watch a preview of tonight’s show HERE
Follow The Dan Nicholl Show, brought to you by BrightRock exclusively on SuperSport, at @dannichollshow