Evans ready to defend title at DUESOUTH XTERRA Knysna

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Tuesday, 14 June 2011 15:33

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Can Kevin Evans cause another upset?

Former multiple South African mountain bike champion Kevin Evans will return to PEZULA Private Estate’s Field of Dreams on Thursday, 7 July to defend his title at the DUESOUTH XTERRA Knysna presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT.

Evans caused an upset at the 2010 event when he walked away with the title of individual men’s champion. According to Evans, taking part at XTERRA Knysna fitted in perfectly with his cross training for the World Mountain Bike Championships held later that year.  “The atmosphere at XTERRA Knysna was great, plus PEZULA’s Field of Dreams holds some fond memories for me. At home I do a fair bit of running on the trails in the forest, so the jump to XTERRA was not too strenuous. The speed of the run in competition, however, was completely different to my training,” says Evans.

“I took part in duathlon in high school, competing at inter schools and a few times in Eastern Cape Province Champs,” continues Evans. “So far I haven’t been able to do any specific training for XTERRA as my year has been too busy. It looks like I’ll just have to suffer on the day. This time round, however, I’m going to get some 'toggles' for my shoes, as a lot of time is lost in the transitions if you’re not organised”.

A successful title defence will not come easily for Evans, as two of South Africa’s top XTERRA Warriors, Dan Hugo and Lieuwe Boonstra have already signed up for the 2011 event.

Rumour has it that four time XTERRA World Champion, Conrad Stoltz will also be seen toeing the line on the day. Stoltz’s participation will, however, be confirmed in the next two weeks.   

In the women’s race, Hanlie Booyens will be the person to beat on the day. According to Booyens, XTERRA Knysna last year was one of her more satisfying wins. “I love the idea that XTERRA Knysna does not feature a water discipline as it definitely makes life a lot simpler. For me the first run is the toughest as it is run at a seriously fast pace. This is where I fall behind and literally have to claw my way back on the mountain bike discipline. The second run is all about hanging in there for as long as possible,” says Booyens who will take part in The Big 5 Challenge in which competitors are put to the ultimate test participating in five gruelling events throughout the festival.

The DUESOUTH XTERRA Knysna  presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT is the only XTERRA SA event that does not feature a water discipline, but instead follows a run/bike/run format. Forming part of the much loved Knysna Oyster Festival participants can take part individually or in teams of two.