![\"ccs-62657-0-41457600-1427380279.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-41457600-1427380279.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nKevin Evans (pictured), formerly of FedGroup Itec and now riding for Biogen-Volcan, will go in search of a record seventh Nedbank sani2c crown in May this year when he and Max Knox look to successfully defend their title. \/\/ Photo: Andrew McFadden\/ Gameplan Media.<\/span><\/p>\n The sport\u2019s racing snakes take to the trails for the first time on Thursday 14 May and will come home in front of a sizeable crowd in Scottburgh on Saturday 16 May with Biogen-Volcan\u2019s pairing of Evans and Knox eager to ensure it is them who reach this point fastest.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the ten years of the sani2c\u2019s existence, Kevin (Evans) has won it six times and myself three!\u201d explains 27 year-old Knox.<\/p>\n \u201cThere has only been one year since the start of this prestigious race that at least one of us haven\u2019t stood on the podium so it\u2019s definitely a race we enjoy and are keen to do well in again in 2015!\u201d<\/p>\n Knox believes the pair\u2019s unrivalled success at the event means the pressure usually associated with the defending champions label is significantly reduced.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve won it before and there\u2019s no real pressure for us to get number seven or number four respectively.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can afford to a bit more laid back in the build up to this year\u2019s event and let the others worry about the racing ahead of time.<\/p>\n \u201cCome race day, we\u2019ll definitely be looking to defend our title though!\u201d<\/p>\n The sani2c carries added sentimental importance for Knox who has close family ties to the race\u2019s start town in the Southern Drakensberg while a disappointing 23rd overall finishing at the recent ABSA Cape Epic has given the duo added motivation to put in another strong showing.<\/p>\n \u201cMy uncle lives in Underberg, my cousins own the local Spar up there, I even spent some of my childhood years living there so to take part in the sani2c and do well in that particular race really means a lot to me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKev and I have received fantastic support from Biogen, Volcan and a few others so far this season and had a really good start to the year with a couple of positive results.<\/p>\n