![\"ccs-62657-0-39532700-1473270090.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-39532700-1473270090.jpg\")
<\/a>Max Knox (left) and Gawie Combrinck (right) batting it out on the early race climb. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\nPerfect weather greeted the riders at Dullstroom on Saturday and with the men\u2019s race 15km shorter than the 2015 edition at 98km, the intensity was expected to be as high as the altitude, which rises in excess of 2200 metres above sea level.<\/p>\n
The full SCOTT LCB Factory Racing team of Gert Heyns, Arno du Toit, Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes ensured the race started fast and split quite early on. The small lead pack of eight comprised three members of the SCOTT LCB team, Matt Beers (Red-E Cannondale), Gawie Combrinck, Knox and Johann Rabie (Team Telkom). Then, at 55km on the race\u2019s big climb, Knox was setting the pace, which proved too quick for his rivals. He then continued on alone to the finish to clock a winning time of 03 hours 52 minutes 47 seconds.<\/p>\n
Gawie Combrinck (Team NAD) finished second in 04:00:21 with Beukes claiming third place in 4:01:42. Buys and HB Kruger (Team Telkom) rounded out the top five positions respectively. Combrinck\u2019s podium place made up for the fact that his NAD teammate and Series leader, Nico Bell, had to drop out at 70km after suffering with a virus all week. Bell is still second in the series rankings going into the final round.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything went perfectly for me today. The bunch was a bit smaller but it was a quality field. The SCOTT LCB guys were very positive and pushed the pace hard from the beginning. I knew they\u2019d struggle towards the end though because they\u2019ve focussed mainly on XC this year and aren\u2019t used to the longer duration of these ultra-marathons,\u201d said Knox.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the big climb at around 55km, I saw the guys were hurting a bit so I set a steady pace and managed to get a small gap over the top. I knew that if could maintain a good pace from there and through the rough last 20km, it would be difficult for anyone to catch me. I\u2019m happy to have stayed away,\u201d smiled Knox.<\/p>\n
\u201cMax has got really good form. I had a bit of a rest and am starting to build up for the last part of the year. I just didn\u2019t\u2019 have the legs to go with Max up the big climb. But I do enjoy this course. I like the long climbs and I seem to do well at altitude,\u201d said a satisfied Combrinck.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m quite happy with third place,\u201d said Beukes, \u201cI wasn\u2019t sure how the altitude would affect me and I didn\u2019t feel great initially. For the first hour and a half I held back. As soon as we hit the big climb Max went and no one could respond to that. I held back a bit and then with 30km to go I felt good so I went for it. I trained for this race for the past six weeks so am happy to get on the podium.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/a>Robyn de Groot setting the pace and making easy work of the Dullstroom’s higher altitude. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span>\n<\/div>\nIn the women\u2019s race, the course and the altitude took its toll. A group of three formed at the front early on comprising De Groot, McDougall and Sanders. First Sanders dropped off the pace at around 12km and then McDougall at around 18km, leaving De Groot in the lead for most of the race. The Ascendis Health rider kept a steady pace to finish in a time of 03:12:03.<\/p>\n
McDougall was second in 3:18:16 with Sanders third in 3:19:35. Theresa Ralph (Galileo Risk) and Vanessa Bell (Bells Cycling) were fourth and fifth respectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was an important win for myself and my sponsors. They\u2019ve been very patient in letting me take the time to get back after my injury. I\u2019m happy with this one,\u201d said a delighted De Groot.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing from sea level to altitude I didn\u2019t know how my body would respond. But I\u2019m pretty happy with how it went and I\u2019m looking forward to the last round at Rooiberg now, which has a challenging course and should make for a great Series decider,\u201d added De Groot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely surprised myself after quite a substandard performance last week. I\u2019m very happy with second place. With longer climbs and more technical sections, the course suits me. Living in Joburg, we have an altitude advantage over those from the coast I think. I\u2019m looking forward to the last round at Rooiberg where the conditions and terrain suit me,\u201d smiled McDougall.<\/p>\n
The Ashburton Investments National MTB Series now moves to South Africa\u2019s Limpopo province for Round 7, 15 October. For more information, visit www.nationalmtbseries.co.za<\/a>. For<\/p>\n