Max Knox and Robyn de Groot are ready for the new two-day race format at the second round of the National MTB Series in Sabie this weekend.
Knox has always been a podium contender in the national marathon series at Sabie, with an impressive record of five podium finishes, including two wins since 2009.
De Groot claimed her first win at Sabie last year and is the favourite in the elite women’s event.
Max Knox (New Holland/This Way Out) on his way to third place at last year’s National MTB Series in Sabie. Photo: www.zcmc.co.za
“I like the new format idea. It gives riders a chance to go for a podium place three times in two days (stage one, stage two and overall), which can only stimulate the racing and make it more interesting,” said Knox.
The marathon-distance event has attracted a strong field, including a number of local and international riders who will use the event as part of their sharpening up for next month’s Cape Epic.
Topping the entry list are the current Epic champions Karl Platt and Urs Huber. They will be backed by their Team Bull colleagues Simon Stiebjahn and Tim Bohme.
Besides Knox (New Holland/This Way Out), the local high profile entries include Gert Heyns (Ascendis Health), the Telkom BCX pair of Waylon Woolcock and HB Kruger and the Team NAD Pro duo of Nico Bell and Gawie Combrinck.
The new format will have the two-day stage race on the Saturday and Sunday, with two distance options (half-marathon or marathon).
There will be categories for series points and prize-money to be determined at the end of the second day. To be in contention for the complete series points and prize-money, riders will have to complete eight stages from a possible 12.
There will be a single-day marathon and half-marathon option on the Saturday, but this is a fun event and not count towards series points or prize-money.
