![\"Max](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-84131200-1331742426.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nMax Knox during stage six of the 2010 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race between Worcester and Oak Valley in the Western Cape, South Africa on the 26 March 2010.Photo by Sven Martin\/SPORTZPICS<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This year will be Knox\u2019s fifth Absa Cape Epic and the highlight of his year. Knox will be riding with Wells, who is a first-timer to the event. \u201cI\u2019m very excited and motivated for this year\u2019s event. I think because we share a common passion and love for the sport of mountain bike racing, we will pull together and bring out a good performance,\u201d says Knox. Wells adds his thoughts on it being his first time. \u201cI\u2019m very excited to complete the Absa Cape Epic. I\u2019ve followed the race for many years and listened to endless stories from Burry and Sauser about it. I\u2019ve never done a mountain bike race of more than 4 stages or a team race, so it\u2019s a whole new experience for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Even though this is the first time Wells is participating in the Absa Cape Epic, he boasts many great career highlights, specialising in cyclo-cross<\/a> and mountain bike racing<\/a> in the United States. He is three times cyclo-cross national champion and two times US national short track cross-country champion. Last year, he became the La Ruta de los Conquistadors champion and is the current and two times US national cross-country champion.<\/p>\n Max Knox during stage four of the 2010 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race from Ceres to Worcester in the Western Cape, South Africa on the 24 March 2010.Photo by Sven Martin\/SPORTZPICS<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In 2010, Knox won the African leader jersey in the Absa Cape Epic and finished in 10th<\/sup> place overall, and won the Barberton marathon. Last year, Knox yet again, came first in the Barberton UCI C2 marathon and received other various top honours such as in the Das Auto mountain bike race, the Karkloof mountain bike race, as well as coming 3rd<\/sup> in the MTN National Series Hilton and Tulbach Marathons and 4th<\/sup> in the Attakwas UCI C2 Marathon. This year so far, Knox has come fourth in the Barberton UCI C2 Marathon and 2nd<\/sup> in the Sabie World Cup Marathon.<\/p>\n With regards to training, Wells and Knox have not trained together due to them living in different countries. Knox trains for 30 hours a week, eats strictly vegetarian and avoids all wheat, alcohol and simple sugars. Adds Wells: \u201cI\u2019m focused on the World Cup right now but have just finished a big base period that I do every winter. I still have some big miles in my legs and should have enough intensity as well by the time the Cape Epic starts. My diet is pretty much open other than trying not to eat too much. When I train a lot, I\u2019m always hungry. On the bike, I eat a lot to stay fuelled up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n