Frustration for Bass Ahead Of MTN Dirty Harry

Press Release : Garmin adidas

Marc Bassingtwaighte (Garmin adidas) could certainly be forgiven for being extremely upset. The reason for his frustration, is that he is battling with a flu bug at the moment, just before one of the most important races on the local cycling calendar. The Namibian is certainly one of the favourites for Saturday’s MTN National South African Championships – the N3TC Dirty Harry Marathon Event, which will take place in Harrismith this weekend.

Bassingthwaigthe is also in the running to win the MTN Series overall. Actually, he is the only rider who is in a position to challenge Kevin Evans (MTN-Energade). He won the MTN Chandelier Race and was 2nd in the MTN Induna Adventure Race, collecting 10 506 points in the process.

Evans was 3rd in the MTN Barberton Classic, as well as 3rd in the MTN Chandelier and he won the MTN Induna Adventure Race. He has accumulated 10963 points.

“I’m not quite healthy, but I’m doing my best to get where I want to be. This flu really comes at a bad time. But I believe in fate and luckily this week was not just about coughing and sniffling. I have received some really great news – Namibia has decided to send me to the World Championship in Australia, at the beginning of September.”

About Saturday’s race he said: “We will do the 75 km route plus the 35km. I know the 75km route, but I don’t know the 35km route very well. I think there will be some attacks during the race this time. The course is rough and riders might try their luck by attacking the less technical riders. I don’t know where this will happen, but the group will definitely split after the first big climb up the mountain. Some riders might even turn back. I don’t foresee any big- bunch riding, but rather smaller bunches.

“Don’t ask me who is going to win. I have no idea. I don’t even know what to do myself to win the race. Just like I have done in previous races, I shall take it as it comes.” According to Bassingthwaighte, the fact that the race is 120km long will be a strong determining factor. “As with the previous three races in the MTN series, it will be all about pacing yourself, so that you have enough power left in your legs when it really matters. Nobody can race flat out for 120 kilometres.”

How does one go about beating Evans? According to Bassingtwaighte, you do it by never letting him out of your sight. “As in the Induna Race, Kevin might just latch onto the winning break-away group and save his energy for the right moment to attack, leaving the rest of us behind. But he could also decide to attack quite early in the race and then the other riders must be ready to go with him. I personally think that the best way to beat him is to ensure that you are in front at the end of the race and then try to outsprint him.”

Mannie Heymans, who won’t be racing because of a broken elbow, will be on the route to support his Garmin adidas team-mates.

Listening to Bassingthwaighte, it seems that Heymans might have worked out some race plan to ensure that a Garmin adidas rider wins. “I don’t doubt that Kevin will be well prepared for the race. The fact that he did not race the Trans-Alps flat out, will certainly count in his favour. I also know that Kevin is serious about defending his SA title. Maybe that same hunger can be used to beat him. But I am not going to say anything,” was Heymans’ comment.

Francois Theron (Garmin adidas) reckons that the Dirty Harry will be one of the hardest races this season, because everyone wants to win.

“So there is no question about it – if you want to win, you will have to give it your all. “As far as I am concerned, there are still many unanswered questions. Physically I feel good, so it will just be a case of concentrating on doing the small things correctly. For example, I will have to ensure that my bicycle is in tip-top condition, that I eat correctly and also use the right supplements.”

Philip Buys (Garmin adidas) says openly that he does not like to race 120 kilometres. “It just does not suite my style of riding. At the moment I am leading the King of the Mountain Category of the MTN Series. But I won’t go out of my way to defend the polka dot jersey on Saturday. It will be more important for me to survive the first 80 kilometres and then see what I can do next.”