New Zealander Sam Gaze relished his victory on South African soil when he won the Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge outside Wellington on Saturday.
Gaze said he had used the race as a warm-up for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup to be held in Coetzenburg this coming Saturday.
“The Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB was a really good result for me,” he told In the Bunch. “It was a really tough race, especially with tired legs resulting from training the week before.
“It’s always nice to get a win and the race was a good warm-up ahead of this weekend’s World Cup.”
New Zealander Sam Gaze, pictured here, eyes success at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup following his Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge victory on Saturday. Photo: Supplied
He had prepared well for the upcoming event, Gaze added. “The preparation has been pretty stock-standard, as with any other race.
“We have pre-ridden the course, we looked at everything we could have and we will make sure we are well rested so that on race day we can be as best prepared as possible.
Gaze is looking forward to taking part in the first World Cup of the season, held in his “home away from home”.
“I know this area quite well. I’ve been here for the last three years on training camps. I am really looking forward to it.
“This will be my first year racing outside of under-23, but my second in elite world cups. I feel like I have prepared myself better this season than in previous years.
“It was critical training in the off- and pre-season to prepare for a world cup this early on in the year,” he added.
The Team Specialised rider said he hoped for a clinical performance on Saturday.
“It will be good to see how it all plays out and I will try my best, but I’m not looking so much at a result, but rather a more clinical performance.
“If my performance goes well, then the result will follow. I am excited for the race. I am looking forward to getting out there and seeing all the competitors.”
He is also anticipating a good challenge from his Specialised teammates, especially after American partner Howard Grotts came second in the MTB Challenge last weekend.
“Howie [Grotts] is in some incredible form at the moment and he helped play the race out into my hands.
“Team Specialised have had a strong pre-season in Stellenbosch and it will be good to see how we perform.
“It will be great to get a result for those guys who have supported me for so long and so well.”
