![\"ccs-41808-0-84032600-1400053913.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-41808-0-84032600-1400053913.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a> Image credit: Jazz Kuschke<\/span>\n<\/div>\nBell, riding in the colours of Team RECM, will saddle up with Cape Epic partner Erik Kleinhans for the 10th<\/sup> edition of the world\u2019s largest stage race. Last year, he claimed victory in the three-day race from Underberg to Scottburgh alongside two-time winner Max Knox.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sani2c is one of my build-up races and fits in perfectly as it is only three days of fast racing, so it doesn\u2019t drain the body too much and helps build the speed needed for world champs.\u201d<\/p>\n A marathon specialist at heart, Bell is the reigning MTN Series champion and currently leads the standings in this year\u2019s competition. \u201cIt\u2019s a goal for me to win the national series once again as you have to be consistent throughout the year. But my main focus this season has been stage races alongside Erik as we build a strong team together.\u201d<\/p>\n The two are currently in good form, having taken first and third respectively at the recent MTN Clarens race. \u201cBased on our performances at Clarens, I think we will be a strong team. But with sani2c you also need some luck; a puncture or wrong turn can cost you the race!\u201d<\/p>\n Bell, 30, said he and Kleinhans, 32, had the age and experience to shine in longer endurance events, as evidenced by their top-10 finish at the Cape Epic earlier this year. \u201cWe are both strong riders and can climb and pace ourselves well, but experience is probably our best trait as we know how to stay calm and handle the situation,\u201d said Bell.<\/p>\n According to him, the famed Nedbank sani2c single-tracks provided good skills training ahead of the UCI world champs in nearby Pietermaritzburg in June. Bell said he expected stiff competition from the likes of his former teammate Gawie Combrinck and ex-roadie Johann Rabie of EAI Cycling. \u201cGawie and Johann will be strong because they just won the Old Mutual joBerg2c and are consistent riders.\u201d He said RECM had competed in a combination of single and multistage events throughout the season and should give EAI a run for their money.<\/p>\n \u201cI also rode Lowveld Quest and Panorama Tour, so I\u2019m sure we have enough racing in our legs to go well.\u201d<\/p>\n The Nelspruit-based rider said he and Kleinhans (a three-time mixed category winner alongside wife Ariane) had sufficient experience on the 270km route to influence the racing upfront.<\/p>\n The Race for pros and elite riders finishes at Scottburgh on the South Coast on Saturday, May 17. The world\u2019s largest mountain bike stage race is presented by Nedbank Private Wealth and comprises the Trail (May 13 to 15), Adventure (May 14 to 16) and Race (May 15 to 17) components on the same course.<\/p>\n