Knox a rider to reckon with
South African marathon champion, Max Knox (New Holland/This Way Out), secured a dominant victory at the inaugural two-day format race of the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series in Sabie over the weekend.
Knox, a Sabie resident, made the most of his local knowledge and the muddy conditions on Saturday to secure victory in the 64,5-kilometre first stage in a time of two hours, 36 minutes, 26 seconds.
He was 3:32 faster than Swiss marathon champion, Urs Huber (Team Bulls) with Philip Buys (Pyga/EuroSteel) completing the podium places in 2:41:19
On Sunday’s shorter 44-kilometre stage, Knox rode off the front on the first climb and stayed away, eventually finishing first in a time of 1:51:25.
Another local rider, Nico Bell (Team NAD Pro) launched a late attack from the chase pack to finish second, 3:11 behind Knox. He was just a second ahead of a group dash for third place, won by Buys.
With the two stage times combined, Knox claimed the overall fastest time and maximum points for the second round of the Ashburton Investments National MTB series. Huber was a second more than six minutes back, with Buys claiming third on the combined classification.
Also read: Knox bags another win
“I felt very motivated after Saturday’s win. Obviously Sabie is a big one for me, being from here and having so much local support. ‘With two shortish stages, the race had to be very explosive,” said Knox.
Bell said the new format would take some getting used to.
“I prefer the longer events over five hours where you can catch guys towards the end. This new format is hard from the start, and you have to hang in. On every hill you have to try and stay in the front and if you’re feeling good, try and attack. I thought Uys would try and chase Max. Towards the middle of the stage, I started to feel good and put in some attacks later on,” said Bell.
South African marathon champion, Robyn de Groot (Ascendis Health) won a tight tussle with Amy Beth McDougall (Valencia) to capture the overall honours in the women’s division.
Also read: Bell wins Mpumalanga road title
The race delivered excitement, as it was designed to. De Groot held off McDougall in a sprint to win the 64,5-kilometre first stage in wet, muddy conditions.
Much drier conditions greeted the competitors on Sunday, and De Groot and McDougall were once again locked in battle.
De Groot managed to move away near the end.
McDougall finished in second place 36 seconds later, and sealed her second place overall, while Vanessa Bell (Bells Cycling), third on both stages, grabbed the final overall podium place.
“I absolutely love these trails. I know them very well from having competed in the York Timbers Enduro and from living here for a year. I had a bit of bad luck today with my wheel, but it was a great battle with Robyn, who was the stronger rider today,” said McDougall.
