Philip Buys will hope to garner valuable UCI points in the 80km Sabie Classic, which takes place at the York Timber Sports Ground tomorrow.
The 21st Sabie event forms part of the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Series and provides a good opportunity for individual riders to accumulate points on the local scene.
Philip Buys, pictured here in the Ashburton Series two years ago, will hope to garner valuable UCI points at the Sabie Classic tomorrow. Photo: Hayden Brown
Many of the international riders who took part in the Tankwa Trek a couple of weeks ago are expected to do duty at the Sabie Classic.
It is the last opportunity for local marathon riders to earn UCI points as they aim to build up the highest possible tally they can ahead of the world marathon champs in September.
But, despite possibly coming up against some stiff international competition, PYGA Euro Steel’s Buys has not lowered his sights.
“The goal is always to win and get as many UCI points as possible,” he told In the Bunch today.
“I don’t really have any idea who will take part, but whoever will be there our goal still stays the same.”
The whole team set-up, comprising Buys, Matthys Beukes, Phillimon Sebona and Pieter du Toit, will be at the race, despite it being an individual race.
“We have the team truck here and we’re sort of running the set-up we will run at the Cape Epic [next month],” Buys said.
“It’s another opportunity to fine-tune a few things and get everything oiled and dialled, especially ahead of the Epic.
“It’s obviously a crucial time training-wise and I might have slightly tired legs, but it’s nothing I’m worried about. Either way we will benefit from the race.”
Buys and Beukes together were the highest-placed SA team at the Tankwa last year, but did not match that performance this season.
“It wasn’t really the result we wanted, but we learnt a few things and we got a good indication of where our shape is.”
