![\"ccs-62657-0-44465600-1469454593.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-44465600-1469454593.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Philip Buys claiming KOM, with Max Knox and Gert Heyns hot on his heels. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\nGert Heyns (SCOTT LCB Factory Racing) and Knox made a decisive move after a singletrack section before the second Tech Zone at 75km. The pair worked together and increased their lead over the pack, which was starting to lose cohesion as riders began to tire. With 10km remaining, Knox kept the pressure high and the pace proved too much for Heyns.<\/p>\n
Knox went on to claim the victory in a time of 3 hours 45 minutes 28 seconds. In the final run up to the finish, Heyns was caught by Nico Bell (Team NAD), who had chased back hard after suffering a mechanical. The pair sprinted for the second place with Heyns just pipping Bell in what required a photo to decide the positions. The pair clocked 3:46:48.<\/p>\n
Lourens Luus (PSG Wealth) and Johann Rabie (Team Telkom) rounded out the top five places respectively.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a lot tougher than I anticipated. The depth of quality riders has increased and the terrain was quite smooth and the course quite flowing, which meant a high average speed. I knew that it would be difficult for anyone to ride away on their own, so when the opportunity came to get away with Gert, I was keen,\u201d explained Knox.<\/p>\n \u201cGert has been quite focussed on XCO racing so I hoped he might struggle a little at towards the end. Luckily for me he did begin to struggle and that\u2019s when I was able to get away from him. I just kept as hard a pace as I could to the finish,\u201d added Knox, who has now won three Ashburton Investments Nation MTB Series events in succession.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a very interesting race \u2013 very up and down. There was very positive racing all day, but I suffered a technical at a crucial time and after chasing back I realised that Max and Gert were up the road already. I went after them as hard as I could, but couldn\u2019t shake Gert after catching up to him and didn\u2019t see Max again,” said Bell.<\/p>\n \u201cThe shorter route really delivered more explosive racing. I really gave it my all trying to stay with Max but I blew and Nico, who always finishes strong, caught me and we had to sprint for second place,” explained a weary Heyns.<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race, Sanders took an early lead which she managed to increase throughout the 75km course to clock a winning time of 3:26:24. Jeannie Dreyer (Merchants) finished a distant second almost nine minutes later, with Therese Ralph (Galileo Risk) rounding out the top three in 3:38:21.<\/p>\n \u201cI was a bit concerned coming in to this race after a sick week. I went out hard very early so I could determine the pace. It was risky, but with the short, sharp climbs it suited me. I\u2019m finally finding some marathon form after getting out of XC racing a bit,\u201d said a satisfied Sanders.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a jolly tough course. It felt like one big climb out there today, but I love these hard, shortish 70km races and we had some really great weather,\u201d smiled runner-up Dreyer.<\/p>\n The Ashburton Investments National MTB Series now moves to South Africa\u2019s Mpumalanga province for Round 6, on 3 and 4 September. For more information, visit www.nationalmtbseries.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Gert Heyns and Max Knox breaking away from the lead pack. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Knox determinedly taking on the continual ascent. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Samantha Sanders content as she crosses the finish line comfortably ahead of the elite ladies. Photo Credit: www.zcmc.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n