![\"ccs-62657-0-67663700-1501595553.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-67663700-1501595553.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Brendon Davids (Road Cover) and Matthys Beukes (Pyga\/Eurosteel) Crossing the water bridge the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series Van Gaalen. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\nPhilip Buys (Pyga Eurosteel) was at the front of the race with Beukes and Davids until a mechanical delayed his progress. He eventually finished fourth, behind Gert Heyns (Ascendis Health) who grabbed the final podium spot. Nico Bell (Team NAD Pro), the Series leader going into the event, finished fifth.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this course is bit too flat for me and Brendon is really strong on the flats. He had me in the hurt box a lot. Me, Brendon and Phil got away early but unfortunately Phil punctured and I just had to stick to Brendon\u2019s wheel. On the flats I was bleeding to keep up,\u201d explained a weary Beukes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd on the last climb I thought it\u2019s game over for me. I thought I\u2019ll just put one last final effort in. I saw then that he was on the limit as well, which motivated me so I pinned it to the end. I got a bit tired towards the finish. I ran out of energy and Brendon almost caught me on the line,\u201d added Beukes.<\/p>\n
In terms of taking the Series lead, Beukes remained realistic in his approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously it\u2019s good to take the lead in the Series. Confidence wise it\u2019s a nice boost. I haven\u2019t been looking at the overall Series, but rather just taking each event individually and try and do my best at each one.<\/p>\n