Mountain bike professional Max Knox was the first South African across the line in last weekend’s Cape Epic, but that did not stop him feeling a tinge of disappointment at having missed a podium spot.
Max Knox (right) was the first South African across the line in this year’s Cape Epic, partnering Colombian Leo Paez to fourth place overall just 58 seconds out of a podium spot. Photo: Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
After eight days of racing over 650km, Knox and Colombian partner Leo Paez, riding for Kansai Plascon, finished in fourth spot, just 58 seconds behind third-placed Nicola Rohrbach and Daniel Geismayr.
While the South African marathon champion was philosophical about not making the podium in his ninth Epic, he did acknowledge he was “a little bit” disappointed at missing out so narrowly.
“After all, 58 seconds over eight days is a very small gap so that was quite a hard one,” the 29-year-old from Sabie in Mpumalanga said.
“Realistically we were hoping to get onto the podium. We felt that would be a good goal, especially with the level of competition.”
In one sense, though, there was some satisfaction as he and Paez overcame a number of challenges, not the least of which was the communication barrier.
Max Knox and Leo Paez of Kansai Plascon during stage six of the 2017 Cape Epic from Oak Valley Wine Estate in Elgin. Photo: Dominic Barnardt/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
“Considering that we never communicated verbally and given that I had never met Leo before, fourth place wasn’t that bad.
“When you don’t know a person you are racing with, it can get a bit tricky, especially if you don’t speak the same language.
“But we did get on well and I had a really good time. Finishing fourth is a good platform to build on for the future.”
Despite the language issue, Knox said he learnt a lot from his partner during the race.
“Leo is a world-class rider and he taught me a lot about nutrition and the digestive system, but I probably could have learnt a lot more with better comms.”
He said it was a real experience to ride with someone of that calibre.
Max Knox and Leo Paez of Kansai Plascon claim second place on stage six of the 2017 Cape Epic from Oak Valley Wine Estate in Elgin. Photo: Nick Muzik/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
“He was always stronger than me, but also very encouraging. Hopefully next year I will be fitter and stronger and then we’ll certainly be aiming for a podium spot.”
Knox said he would like to race with Paez again next year to keep the relationship going.
“Once you have ridden with someone, it becomes much easier because you understand each other better.”
Knox said becoming the second South African to win the Cape Epic, after the late Burry Stander, was definitely on his agenda.
“I know that every person who enters in the UCI group of about 50 teams has the top place on the podium as their goal and that applies to me as well.”
