Matthys Beukes, who emerged victorious on the first day of the National MTB Series in Clarens in the Free State today, has a hard ride planned for the final day tomorrow.
The PYGA rider said he and teammate Philip Buys would aim to set the pace on Sunday.
“Myself and Philip will try and defend tomorrow – we hope that offence will be the best defence,” said Beukes.
“Our aim is to go hard from the beginning to make it harder for the other riders.
Matthys Beukes emerged victorious on day one of the National MTB Series in Clarens today. Photo: twitter.com/NatMTBseries
“The race today was very close, there was just over a minute which separated the top riders.
“The way I see it, anyone who is in the top ten will be a threat tomorrow,” said the 29-year-old.
He said today’s 75km ride had taken little out of him physically and he was looking forward to day two.
“It was quite a flat route with very little climbing, so it turned out to be a tactical ride rather than a physical one today.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow as it’s a course which should be more interesting. It should suit me better because there are a few more climbs, it’s not as much flat road.”
Beukes finished in 2:29:16 and was followed closely by HB Kruger and Nico Bell.
His teammate, Buys, finished eighth, approximately two minutes behind.
The ladies’ race was won in a close sprint finish by Robyn de Groot from Team Ascendis Health (2:51:28).
She was followed one second later by Candice Neethling with Vera Adrian rounding out the podium in 2:51:31.
Tomorrow’s marathon will cover 59.7km.
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