Having ended on the podium in the TransBreede Ultra, mountain bike ace HB Kruger will be looking to up his game when he makes his debut in the Liberty TransCape MTB Encounter on Sunday.
The annual seven-day event, supported by STANLIB and Volvo, starts in Knysna and ends in Franschhoek on February 10. It takes riders on a 614km challenge through many highly popular trails in the Western Cape.
“At the moment my training has been going really well,” said Kruger, who won the Liberty Winelands Encounter with Waylon Woolcock last year.
HB Kruger will join forces with Stuart Marais when they ride for ASG-Ellsworth in the seven-stage 614km Liberty TransCape MTB Encounter. The race starts in Knysna on Sunday and ends in Franschhoek on February 10. Photo: Ewald Sadie
“The TransBreede Ultra was my first race of the season and that is always a bit of a shock to the body. But my form is good and I am motivated and positive about the TransCape.”
Based in Paarl, Kruger said he was reasonably familiar with the challenges which lay ahead.
“I have ridden some of the trails, but there may be a few areas which I have not experienced. However, I am quite excited to be taking on that challenge, rather than nervous.”
He is also looking forward to linking up with Stuart Marais of Durban for this event. Riding for ASG-Ellsworth, Kruger said he and Marais were positive about their form.
“We have not ridden together before, although I have raced against him a few times. He is a talented rider and is motivated, so that gives me a good feeling about things.”
He said they would definitely be aiming for the top podium spot.
“Any stage wins will be a bonus, but we are looking to finish on top. The main thing is stay upright, not suffer too many mechanicals and take the opportunities when they arise.”
Defending champion Pieter Seyffert will renew his partnership with long-time friend Hanco Kachelhoffer (ASG-Ellsworth) after winning the race with Travis Walker last year.
However, he admitted that Kruger and Marais were the overall favourites.
With UCI status having been granted to the race, a number of professional overseas riders have entered.
These include Japanese rider Yuki Ikeda, who will team up with South African ace Grant Usher, and Norwegian pros Eirik Fiskvik and Thomas Engelsgjerd.
