MTN 50 Miler The Podium Decider In The National Series
Press Release : Advendurance Media
At approximately 12 o’clock on Saturday, when the first rider will cross the finishing line of the MTN 50-Miler in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, everybody will know who the second best rider in the MTN Series is.
Kevin Evans (MTN-Energade) has dominated the series to such an extent that there is no need for him to race on Saturday. He has already won the MTN Series overall by winning three of the six races in which he has competed. In doing so he has accumulated 18 963 points.
Francois Theron (Garmin adidas) is 2nd overall with 16 174 points; Marc Bassingthwaighte (Garmin adidas) 3rd overall with 15 675 points; Philip Buys (Garmin adidas) 4th overall with 14 568 points; Ben-Melt Swanepoel (Specialized/Mankele) 5th with 14 146 points and Johnny Kritzinger (DCM) 6th with 12 830 points.
With Theron and Swanepoel both opting not to ride on Saturday, it means that the main battle for the second position overall will be among Buys, Kritzinger and Bassingthwaighte.
Judging by their results of the past four weeks, the safe money will be to bet that the battle for the 2nd position will be between Buys and Kritzinger.
Apart from Evans, Buys has certainly been the most consistent rider during the past four weeks. Since the MTN Clarence Event, he has been on the podium weekend after weekend. The past Sunday he won the Addo Mountain Bike Challenge in the Eastern Cape.
Kritzinger is also in good form, having won the inaugural six-day Cape Pioneer Trek in the Klein Karoo with Erik Kleynhans (GT/Mr Price).
Both Kritzinger and Buys have only one wish for Saturday and that is: “Please don’t let it rain.”
Kritzinger, who finished 3rd in last year’s race, says he hopes that he does not have to go through that mud battle again.
“In normal circumstances the MTN 50-Miler is a tough challenge because of all the technical single-track sections and the constant climbs, but when it rains it becomes a nightmare with all the mud. I think last year the winning time for 80 kilometers of racing was well over 3 hours.”
Kritzinger says that his participation in the Cape Pioneer Trek will help on Saturday.
“I have got the miles in my legs. On Sunday I participated in a road race just for the fun and I was surprised by how strong my legs felt. On Saturday I have to avoid doing something stupid that will cost me the race.”
Buys’s technical expertise and kamikaze approach when things get tough, will definitely count in his favour.
According to Buys he has got about two good races left in his legs before he will also begin to consider taking a break.
Bassingthwaighte will be the proverbial ‘Joker’ on Saturday. He has kept a very low profile during the past few weeks which could mean that the Namibian is ready for a good race.
Fritz Pienaar, organizer of the MTN-series, described the race as a real MTB race with lots of undulating climbs great purposely build single track that will be thoroughly enjoyed.
“It is a scenic race and a very suitable way to end the season.”
He also have some good news for the professional riders.
“We have realized that the local mountain-biking season is too long. It is unrealistic of anybody to expect the riders to compete from early in January until November.
“Therefore, the MTN Series will finish in October next year. I think we have prepared a most interesting series for next year.
“The first half of the series, from January to March, will be a perfect build-up for the riders who are planning to compete in the Sani2Sea and the Cape Epic.
“Then, from May to the end of July, there will be a winter break. The MTN Series just starts in time to help those riders who are planning to compete in the World Marathon Championship and the World Cross-country Series.”
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