![\"ccs-62657-0-74189100-1539674592.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-74189100-1539674592.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nPhilip Buys and Matthys Beukes win the first stage of the 2018 Cape Pioneer Trek. Photo: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n In a stage suitably described as \u2018Gondwana Glory\u2019, riders were presented with a demanding 96km route and 1650m elevation gain to conquer.<\/p>\n The testing weather conditions only added to an already challenging distance, and a select group of about 10 riders was quickly established up front. In a tight tussle that unfolded throughout the nail-biting race, the lead changed constantly.<\/p>\n Hatherly and Andreassen were the first to enter Gondwana Nature Reserve with Pyga EuroSteel\u2019s Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes close behind them.<\/p>\n The pace really picked up at that point and Nad MTB Team\u2019s Matt Beers and Gawie Combrinck were forced to tap into low gear to close the gap.<\/p>\n With just 20km\u2019s to go, Pyga EuroSteel put their heads down and made the attack that would ultimately secure their victory over Hatherly and Andreassen, who finished in second.<\/p>\n \u201cIt got really tough at that point – we\u2019d been making multiple attacks and accelerations all day. I was definitely taking some strain but managed to catch up to Matthys and just sit behind his wheel until the finish,\u201d explained Buys.<\/p>\n As marathon experts, the Pyga EuroSteel pair drew on years of experience to stay ahead of rivals Hatherly and Andreassen.<\/p>\n \u201cThey specialize in Cross Country style events, and their acceleration is a bit better than ours. The difference is that we\u2019re trained to accelerate multiple times over longer distances, and that gave us the advantage today. The idea was to wear them out before the finish, and then use our endurance to push right to the end,\u201d said Beukes.<\/p>\n The victory secured the yellow jersey for the team with a slender General Classification lead of just one second.<\/p>\n Snatching up the third spot for the day was KTM Pro Team\u2019s Manuel Pleim and David Schoeggl, who fought hard to close the gap on the leading group in the final stages of the race.<\/p>\n