![\"Kevin](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-01047200-1331118312.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNedbank 360Life\u2019s Kevin Evans and David George confirmed yesterday that they would challenge for the title at this year\u2019s Old Mutual joBerg2c. Photo: Supplied<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt was nearly healed but I had to err on the side of caution even though I really wanted to ride. If I\u2019d had a mishap it would have set me back further.\u201d<\/p>\n The Plettenberg Bay rider demonstrated his return to racing fitness this season by taking consecutive second places in the first two legs of the MTN Ultra Marathon Series at Barberton and Tulbagh.<\/p>\n He followed that up with victory in the third race at Sabie, which was especially significant as it doubled as the opening round of the UCI Marathon World Cup. George, a Capetonian, placed third.<\/p>\n Evans said he and George were both in top form ahead of the Absa Cape Epic, which takes place at the end of the month. They will be among the top local teams vying to become the first all-African winners of the eight-day race.<\/p>\n \u201cI should be near peak now and then it\u2019s just a matter of fine-tuning in the next two to three weeks. Dave\u2019s very good at determining when he needs to peak, so he will have timed it right for the end of March.\u201d<\/p>\n Evans said after that their focus would shift to the Old Mutual joBerg2c, which offers a total prize purse of R330 000. \u201cWe won\u2019t go there to play around; we\u2019ll definitely try and win.\u201d<\/p>\n Not having done the race before, he said they were not entirely certain what to expect. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to approach it a bit conservatively, like we do most stage races, and just take our chances when they present themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n As a four-time BoE sani2c champion, Evans will certainly have the advantage during the final three days, which follow the well-known route.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that section really well, so, if worst comes to worst, we could try to stay out of trouble until that point and then give it a full go.\u201d<\/p>\n The 33-year-old said they would use the multistage race to build up towards their international programme, which includes the Trans Germany in June and Trans Alp in July.<\/p>\n They were strong contenders in last week\u2019s three-day Columbia Grape Escape until illness put George out of action on the final stage. \u201cHe\u2019s back on the bike and feeling all right so he should bounce back pretty quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n