They almost didn\u2019t get an entry into the 2013 ABSA Cape Epic, but on Wednesday, four days into the race, Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes of the SCOTT Factory Racing team were sitting in eighth place overall and still in with a shot at the African Leader\u2019s Jersey.<\/p>\n
The 10th<\/sup> edition of the world\u2019s most prestigious mountain bike stage race, was so heavily oversubscribed in 2013 that two-time African champion and London Olympian, Buys and his teammate, Beukes, South Africa\u2019s top-ranked marathon racer, faced the prospect of missing one of the highlight events on the South African racing calendar.<\/p>\n They managed to secure an entry when Brandon Els, Managing Director of SCOTT Sports Africa offered them his entry. And they\u2019ve shown impressive form in the event, which reached its halfway stage in the Boland town of Tulbagh on Wednesday.<\/p>\n SCOTT Factory Team Racing’s Philip Buys (front) and Matthy Beukes wore the red jerseys denoting the leading African team on Stage 1. They still have ambitions of reclaiming the jerseys before the race finishes in Somerset West on Sunday.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo credit: Greg Beadle<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Buys and Beukes finished Stage 3 in 10th<\/sup> place and held their eighth place on the General Classification, 16 minutes down on Darren Lill and Charles Keey (Cannondale Blend), the leaders of the African team competition.<\/p>\n \u201cThe African Leader\u2019s Jersey is still one of our goals. There are still four days to go and lots of sections to come that suit our strengths,\u201d said Buys, who shares with Beukes a fondness for technical riding.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve only really ridden one technical section so far, the descent towards the end of Stage 2. We\u2019re looking forward to the higher percentage of singletrack and technical descents still to come,\u201d said Beukes.<\/p>\n The SCOTT Factory Racing Team race support for Philip Buys (right) and Matthys Beukes (centre) offers a fully professional set-up, including camper van and personal mechanic, Morne van Rensburg (left).<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo credit: Greg Beadle<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDarren and Charles are having a superb race. It\u2019s great to see a South African team in the top five,\u201d said Buys. \u201cToday they were especially strong to finish fourth.\u201d<\/p>\n For Buys and Beukes, the strategy has been one of conservation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re racing an eight-day race and our strategy reflects that. It\u2019s no use going really hard one day and then being flat the next. We\u2019ve been cautious at times in order to minimise the risk of a mechanical problem or a puncture,\u201d explained Beukes.<\/p>\n \u201cSo far we\u2019ve had no tyre issues. We\u2019re riding Maxxis Ikons 2.2 front and rear and they\u2019ve been superb. We get new tyres every second day. But you also have to ride with a bit of caution in order to lower puncture risk and we\u2019ve done just that,\u201d said Buys. \u201cThere is also no doubt in my mind that 29-inch dual suspension is the ideal bike type for this race. Our SCOTT RC 29\u2019s are perfect stage race bikes.<\/p>\n Philip Buys ensures his cleats are tight.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo credit: Greg Beadle <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe saw in the sand on Stage 1 how well the 29ers managed. And you can see how the guys on hardtails have to brace themselves all the time. It\u2019s a rough course in places and a long race. Dual suspension is not negotiable,\u201d added Buys.<\/p>\n Buys and Beukes have the full technical support of SCOTT Sports Africa, which has helped put the riders on a level playing field with the other top teams in the race.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have to worry about our bikes at all!\u201d remarked Beukes. \u201cAs we finish they get taken by a SCOTT mechanic and we get them back the next morning ready to race. They really just need a clean, lube and check for any potential problems because they\u2019ve not given us any problems.\u201d<\/p>\n With the full backing of SCOTT Sports Africa, Matthys Beukes (left) and Philip Buys of SCOTT Factory Team Racing have been able to spend their ‘down time’ relaxing and recovering for the following day’s stage.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo credit: Greg Beadle<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBrandon has been really good to us. Not only did we get his entry in the race he also arranged for us to have a camper vehicle to sleep in. It\u2019s important to get good recovery time and sleep and this is the kind of support that Matthys and I aren\u2019t used to but really appreciate,\u201d smiled Beukes.<\/p>\n