![\"KevinEvansFeb2013web.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-81676800-1370501000.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nMultiple South African champion, Kevin Evans, who races for the FedGroup Itec professional team in South Africa, will boost South Africa\u2019s medal hopes at the 2013 Maccabi Games.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo credit: Zoon Cronje<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The inclusion of the 35-year-old professional mountain bike racer from Plettenberg Bay in South Africa\u2019s Western Cape province will boost the small team\u2019s medal hopes at the Games, which is held every four years in Israel and is open to Jewish athletes from around the world.<\/p>\n Evans is a former multiple South African champion in marathon mountain bike racing (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010), a two-time Elite mountain bike cross-country national champion (2007 and 2008) and was the Elite men\u2019s national road time trial champion in 2010.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t done a road time trial since 2010. I\u2019m looking forward to zipping up a skinsuit to represent South Arica at the Maccabi Games,\u201d said Evans, who is returning to peak racing form following a series of complications after an emergency appendectomy in December 2011.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to compete at the 2009 Maccabi Games, but unfortunately my schedule didn\u2019t allow it. That was when I was racing road and mountain bikes at home and abroad. This year, it works out perfectly for me. I\u2019m aiming to be at a physical peak at the end of June for the marathon mountain bike world champs (in case I get selected), so I\u2019ll be in the right condition to contest the Maccabi Games at my best,\u201d added Evans.<\/p>\n The opening ceremony is on Thursday 18 July 2013 at the Teddy Kollek Stadium in Jerusalem. More than 8 000 athletes from over 60 countries are expected at the 19th edition of the quadrennial showpiece. The Games is organised by an International Maccabiah Committee and is sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee and World Federation of Sports. The Maccabi Games ranks among the five largest sports gatherings in the world (in number of participants).<\/p>\n Evans will compete in the Elite category and will be joined by compatriot, Simon Adler, a 20-year-old mountain bike racer from Cape Town.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve heard there are some really strong riders from Europe and there is always going to be a couple of riders that surprise you. A medal is not a given, I\u2019m expecting a big battle, which I\u2019m looking forward to,\u201d smiled Evans.<\/p>\n