![\"ccs-62657-0-49560300-1464616764.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-49560300-1464616764.jpg\")
<\/a>Barry Hugo (front) leads his partner Wouter de Wet over one of the floating bridges on their way to the Buffalo Category win at the 2015 BSi Steel dusi2c. The pair will return in 2016 to defend their title when the race gets underway from 11-12 June. Jetline Action Photo\/ Gameplan Media<\/span><\/p>\nThe 2016 edition of the BSi Steel dusi2c gives defending Buffalo champions, Wouter de Wet and Barry Hugo the chance to defend their title despite the pair not having the category win at the front of their minds last time around.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe set winning the Buffalo category as one of our goals last year but we didn\u2019t focus too heavily on it.\u201d De Wet said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were a little bit surprised when we managed to win the category after I encountered some fairly bad mechanical issues on the second day of the race, but I think the other teams must have had issues of their own which was lucky for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Winning the Buffalo category in 2016 will be an impressive feat as the field again includes the top five pairs from the 2015 edition of the race but for De Wet, winning a category is a by-product of an enjoyable two days of racing with his partner, Hugo.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really enjoyed our first time at the dusi2c last year,\u201d he commented. \u201cIt has such a unique vibe with the smallish field, the informal atmosphere and the incredible environment that we ride through.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some great technical sections and we really enjoyed the river crossings last year, so we are looking forward to whatever the race has to throw at us this year. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is definitely one of my best races and being so close to home makes it even more appealing!\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2016 race for the Buffalo title will be an intense one and De Wet\u2019s attitude towards the category prize will be the same as it was in 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge for the Buffalo title is going to be a really competitive one again, probably the most competitive it has been but we will take the race as it comes.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur focus won\u2019t be on winning the title but rather having an enjoyable, mistake-free two days of riding although our competitive spirit might start coming through towards the end,\u201d he chuckled.<\/p>\n
The pair of De Wet and Hugo have done their fair share of riding together in 2016 and De Wet feels that they are ready to take on the short, sharp challenge that the dusi2c poses in just over a week\u2019s time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have ridden a lot of races this year with the sani2c being one of the most recent, so we have got the miles in the legs and we are both feeling great.<\/p>\n
\u201cHugo and I have done a lot of riding together and we know each other well, which is a bonus when you spending long days in the saddle, but we are really looking forward to the challenge and will be hoping that we can defend our title!\u201d an excited De Wet concluded.<\/p>\n