![\"ccs-62657-0-58505900-1487681467.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-58505900-1487681467.jpg\")
<\/a>The Elite Men in a tight group as they set into the fasters pace of the new two-day format for the Ashburton Investments National MTB Series. Photo Credit: ZC Marketing Consulting<\/span><\/p>\nKnox, a Sabie resident, made the most of his local knowledge and the muddy conditions on Saturday to secure victory in the 64.5km first stage in a time of 02 hours 36 minutes 26 seconds. He was 3:32 faster than Swiss marathon champion, Urs Huber (Team Bulls) with Philip Buys (Pyga\/EuroSteel) completing the podium places in 2:41:19<\/p>\n
On Sunday\u2019s shorter 44km stage, Knox rode off the front on the first climb and stayed away, eventually finishing first in a time of 1:51:25. Another local racer, Nico Bell (Team NAD Pro) launched a late attack from the chase pack to finish second 3:11 behind Knox. He was just a second ahead of a group dash for third place, won by Buys.<\/p>\n
With the two stage times combined, Knox claimed the overall fastest time and maximum points for the second round of the Ashburton Investments National MTB series. Huber was second more than six minutes back with Buys claiming third on the combined classification.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt very motivated after Saturday\u2019s win. Obviously Sabie is a big one for me being from here and having so much local support. With two shortish stages, the race had to be very explosive. I love it! It\u2019s very dynamic and thanks to Advendurance for making the change to suit the rider\u2019s needs,\u201d said Knox.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the off season I concentrated more on speed than endurance compared to previous years because of this new format. It paid off today! It\u2019s always nice to win in front of family and friends and race on my home trails,\u201d added Knox.<\/p>\n Huber, winner of the Sabie round of the series in 2014 and 2016, admitted the new format didn\u2019t suit him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was just full gas from the beginning today. But it was really nice. The trails are really nice and the weather was better than yesterday. So I could enjoy it a little bit more, but I also had to suffer today. Two hours on these trails is enough,\u201d smiled Huber.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the new two-day format is interesting. Nothing is decided after the first day. Another long stage would be really nice though, especially for me because I like the long races,\u201d added Huber.<\/p>\n Bell also said the new format would take some getting used to.<\/p>\n \u201cI prefer the longer events over five hours where you can catch guys towards the end. This new format is hard from the start and you have to hang in! On every hill you have to try and stay on the front and if you\u2019re feeling good, try and attack. I thought the Bulls would try and chase Max. Towards the middle of the stage I started to feel good and I put in some attacks later on. My flyer with about a kay left stuck and I managed to get second on the stage,\u201d said Bell.<\/p>\n Gert Heyns of Ascendis Health was the most prominent of the chasers on Sunday\u2019s stage, but ended up finishing fourth.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was fast and exciting from the start. It was hard to get away from the group \u2013 I tried a few times but they caught me each time. I think this format is a lot more exciting and good for the racing in general,\u201d said Heyns.<\/p>\n \u201cMax started with quite a speed up first the climb. I tried to follow him but just couldn\u2019t stay on his wheel. Once the chase group formed, nobody seemed to want to work to close the gap, so we pretty much ended up racing each other for second,\u201d added Heyns.<\/p>\n Germany\u2019s Karl Platt, five-time Absa Cape Epic winner, struggled during Saturday\u2019s stage, but had a better day on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cToday was fun and much better than yesterday. Yesterday I really didn\u2019t have a nice day. I tried to show today that I was still there. Today was a lot of fun riding these trails on York Timber\u2019s land. The new format is interesting and the shorter distances are good for our speed, which is good for our training,\u201d said the Bulls rider.<\/p>\n<\/a>Nico Bell leading teammate Gawie Combrink (Team NAD Pro) up the steep Sabie assent during the first stage of the Ashburton National MTB Series Sabie. Photo Credit: ZC Marketing Consulting<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Photo Credit: ZC Marketing Consulting.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Photo Credit: ZC Marketing Consulting.<\/span><\/p>\n