![\"ccs-58780-0-16748100-1504527267.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-58780-0-16748100-1504527267.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Pyga\/Eurosteel team, Matthys Beukes (front) and Philip Buys (back) setting a hard pace on day 2 of the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series Dullstroom. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\nAfter finishing third on Stage 1 on Saturday, Buys (Pyga Eurosteel) started Sunday\u2019s leg 22 seconds back and in aggressive mood, setting the pace from the start with his Pyga Eurosteel teammate, Matthys Beukes and putting Heyns under constant pressure.<\/p>\n
But Buys and Beukes were simply too strong and they completed the perfect double with Beukes claiming the stage win and Buys grabbing second place and the overall title. It was the appropriate reprieve for Beukes who suffered a broken wheel while battling upfront during Stage 1 and was forced to withdraw from the stage.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Heyns outsmarted his rivals to grab the stage win in the 70.5km leg and secure the overnight lead. He was followed by Nico Bell (Team NAD Pro) and Buys respectively. But the Pyga Eurosteel pair was just too strong on Sunday\u2019s 62.4km route, claiming the top two spots.<\/p>\n
Bell finished third on Sunday to secure second overall for the two-day event, with Heyns in fourth and Gawie Combrinck (Team NAD Pro) rounding out the top five respectively on the second day. In the overall though, Heyns finished third, Combrinck fourth and Dylan Rebello (Imbuko Momsen) fifth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite a good day for us obviously. I almost feel bad. Yesterday I only did half the race, so I was a lot fresher than the other guys. You could clearly see that today. Those are the rules and we can play that,\u201d explained Beukes<\/p>\n The Ashburton Investments National MTB Series rules for its two-day event permit a rider to compete on Day 2 even if they don\u2019t finish Day 1. Series points are allocated for each day\u2019s performance as well as for the combined result for the two-days.<\/p>\n \u201cMy first objective was to look after Phil today and make sure he closed the gap on second and first overall after Day 1. My second objective was for me to take the stage win, which I did, which is quite nice and it will help add to my overall series points,\u201d added Beukes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe scenery around Dullstroom is really nice. It feels like you are riding on top of the world. Thanks to Advendurance for more amazing routes. We rode some awesome trails out there,\u201d said Beukes.<\/p>\n \u201cYesterday our tactic didn\u2019t really work out as planned, but today it worked out perfectly. Glad to take the overall win and a great stage win for Matthys,\u201d said Buys.<\/p>\n \u201cAdvendurance put on another good event. It\u2019s tough racing at altitude. The climbing is good here and add in the wind and you have a proper challenge when racing here,\u201d added Buys.<\/p>\n<\/a>Dylan Rebello, stage 2 of the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series Dullstroom. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Gawie Combrick (Team NAD Pro) crosses a stream during stage 2 of the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series Dullstroom. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n