Marc Fourie and Rossouw Bekker will ride in their first stage race together since the launch last week of their new team, Valley Electrical-Titan Racing, when they tackle the Tankwa Trek tomorrow.
This year the UCI-graded race, which takes place in the Ceres area of the Western Cape, will have four stages as opposed to the three of previous seasons.
Marc Fourie, pictured here at the SA MTB Cup Series XCO event last weekend, expects some stiff competition from top local and international riders and thus refuses to raise expectations ahead of the Tankwa Trek tomorrow. Photo: Ewald Sadie
Fourie expects some stiff competition from top local and international riders and thus refuses to raise expectations ahead of the event.
“We have to set a realistic goal,” Fourie told In the Bunch today. “It will be my and Rossouw’s first race together so it will be quite interesting.
“It might be a learning curve for us and we’ll try to use this event to get used to racing with one another.”
He added that they were hoping to finish at least in the top 20.
The 22-year-old will be making his debut at the Tankwa, but it will be Bekker’s second bash at the event.
“We get along well. Our strengths sort of cancel each other out so I think we’ll make a good team.
“Rossouw will know the route so he’ll know what to expect,” Fourie said, adding that they hadn’t even been able to do a recon of the route due to time constraints caused by travelling and “getting everything organised”.
The Bloemfontein local took part in the SA MTB Cup Series XCO event in Bloemendal last weekend.
He said the cross-country showpiece was a “good warm-up for my legs” ahead of the season’s racing.
Taking part in his first marathon stage race, Fourie said he felt satisfied with his current form.
“My fitness is good but it can be better. I’m not yet at my best because I don’t want to peak this early in the season.”
He added that the addition of the fourth stage, despite only being 29km long, could influence the racing over the rest of the event.
“It will definitely have an impact on racing strategies.”
