TransCape MTB Encounter champions HB Kruger and Stuart Marais will be hoping to build on their recent successes with a strong performance at the Cape Epic, which starts in Cape Town on Sunday.
The pair cruised to a comfortable victory at the seven-stage TransCape just over a month ago.
Marais was also the highest-placed South African at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
Kruger feels they can build on these achievements.
“Coming out of winning the TransCape we realised we had a really good partnership,” he said. “So we analysed our performance and thought we could give it a good shot at the African Jersey at the Epic.
“That will definitely be one of our goals.”
The ASG-Ellsworth pair of Stuart Marais (left) and HB Kruger will be hoping to build on their recent successes with a strong performance at the Cape Epic. Photo: Supplied
Kruger, who alongside Marais will ride under the Ellsworth-ASG banner, feels the multi-stage TransCape will have prepared them well for the eight-day Cape Epic.
“TransCape was very similar in length and endurance,” he said. “Any stage race longer than three or four days is quite a challenge.
“It will be good to ride with a partner [Marais] who I have learnt a lot about from the TransCape.
“I learnt what his strengths and weaknesses are. I have weaknesses that Stuart could assist me with, especially in some of the technical sections.
“On the longer sections, which in the Epic are in the first couple of stages, I can play a supporting role to him. We will try to get the best out of each other.”
Kruger feels his form is good after reaping the positives on the road in last week’s five-stage Tour of Good Hope.
“I came out of the Tour of Good Hope as well as the Cape Town Cycle Tour with really good legs. I finished fifth overall at the Tour of Good Hope and third in the time-trial.
“There are a lot of positives I took out of the racing last week; my legs are very responsive and my form is definitely there.
“I am quite positive going into the Cape Epic,” he said, adding that Marais found his rhythm with his performance at the World Cup event in Stellenbosch over the weekend.
Kruger, who lives in Paarl, said he was familiar with the routes they would face at the Epic.
“I’ve ridden on some of the stages on the Worcester side. I’m familiar with its terrains and what it can throw at us. I should not be in for any surprises.
“Living in Paarl, it will be the same with the last three stages, in the Wellington and Paarl area. I train on those routes quite often.
“It’s going to be fun racing on some of the trails I train on.”
He has a mixture of emotions about the upcoming event.
“Anything can happen in the Epic. I’m excited and nervous as can be, but I’m looking forward to it.
“I am feeling confident as well. We have better equipment with the Ellsworth bikes we will be riding. We are ready to give it a bash.”
