South African international marathon mountain biker, Kevin Evans believes local riders should work as a team in the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships at the end of the month.
Evans’ eight place finish in 2009 and the late Burry Stander’s podium finish a year later are still South Africa’s best results in the global marathon and the Fedgroup ITEC rider believes things can change this year.
“With so many of us South Africans likely to be on the start line this year this is definitely our best chance to see a South African on the podium provided everyone, especially those selected for the official SA team, can look to put their individual ambitions aside a little and work together for one, maybe two, riders,” he told Sapa.
“I’m sure the selectors will put together the strongest possible team to represent South Africa and will always pick guys who are currently in top form.
“It’s also great that even though some of our top guys might not be selected for the SA team, they will still be able to compete because they’ve earned enough UCI points or achieved certain results at the World Marathon Series events.”
Despite his pedigree in marathons, Evans says he is open to playing a supportive role for another rider who would be more suitable to leading the team.
“If the team assessed things and said ‘you’re the strongest, we’ll race for you’ then that would be great and I’d give it my all,” he added.
“If it was determined that the best candidate to lead the team was someone else then I’d be just as happy to support them as well.
“It’s all about getting the best possible result for South Africa.
“If I could get a top five, that would be fantastic and a podium would obviously be a dream goal for me.”
The UCI MTB Marathon World Championships takes place at the Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday June 29.
